Manilal Chhotalal Parekh (1885-1967), a Gujarati convert to Anglican church, was an Indian Christian theologian, and the founder of Hindu Church of Christ - free from Western influence - opposing Western and institutional nature of Christianity in India.
[2][4][6] Parekh was born in 1885 at Rajkot of western Gujarat, India, in a family already following Jainism and Vaishnavism, specifically followed by his father.
[1][3] It is said that his illness drew him closer to God in 1903; consequently, he read the entire Bible and a book about Swami Narayana in Gujarati language.
After entering the University in Bombay, he was influenced and introduced to Christ through Christ-centric writings of Keshub Chunder Sen, a renowned leader of Brahmo Samaj; later, he served at Church of New Dispensation, founded by Keshub Chunder Sen, for some years.
[9] According to him:It is very significant that the discovery of the true Jesus as distinguished from that of the Western Churches and Missions is largely due to the Hindu Mind.
Accordingly, Parekh conceptualised Hindu Swadharmagraha giving more space to Christ and prophets of foreign religions, as God's own messengers.
[1] Like Gandhi, he affirmed that full spiritual fellowship was possible without breaking the Caste-system; furthermore, he defended and advocated the practice of caste system in the Indian churches.