Addressing a gathering at the Collectorate compound here on Monday, All-India Bajrang Dal convenor Surendra Jain said, ``Conversion is illegal. The Bajrang Dal will have to launch another Bharat Chhodo andolan to ensure that all Christians are driven out of this country.''

Jain is leading the Vishwa Hindu Parishad-Bajrang Dal `Dharmajagran Rally', which reached here on Monday morning. The rallyists submitted a memorandum to District Collector Sangeeta Singh, accusing the Christian missionaries of indulging in anti-social and anti-national activities.

It also listed three demands: a complete ban on conversions; a halt on foreign funds for conversions and an immediate check on negative portrayal of Hindu deities and customs.

The memorandum alleged that conversions had led to the formation of Bangladesh and Pakistan. Even the Kargil episode centred around conversion, it claimed, warning that conversion of tribals in the North-East could trigger demands for independence in the region.

Among prominent leaders present in the rally were Gujarat BD convener Ranchhod Bharwad, South Gujarat Mahila VHP president Tarulata Joshi, city VHP president Lalji Patel and city BD president Kamlesh Jadhav.

In a press conference later, Jain said the BD and VHP would be forced to launch a nation-wide ``militant movement'' unless the Pope apologised for the ``misdeeds of Christian missionaries.'' Pope John Paul II begins his visit to India on November 5. Jain said the government should not receive the Pope as a state guest. ``Neither the President nor Prime Minister should receive him. The Pope is on a private visit to attend Asian Bishop's Conference, not as the head of the Vatican. As a religious head he can go anywhere he wants but he cannot enjoy status of the Head of a State,'' Jain asserted. Jain said the BD will continue to build pressure through Dharam agran rallies and various memoranda to convince the Union Government against receiving the Pope as a state guest. ``We have conveyed our feelings to the government,'' he added.

After leaving Surat, the rally passed through Silvassa, Dharampur and Unai. It was expected to cover Vyara, Mandvi and Zankhvav in Mangrol taluka -- all predominantly tribal areas -- before going on to Bharuch and Kevadia Colony before entering Vadodara on Tuesday morning.

No untoward incident reported from any part of South Gujarat till evening, but the police said tight bandobast was in place.