New Delhi: The Opposition on Wednesday raised the issue of conversion of Muslims to Hinduism in Agra and tried to corner the government by pointing out that changing religion by force and by allurement was illegal and demanded “strict” action.
However, the government distanced itself from the issue stating that law and order is a state subject while responding to the attack by the Opposition which demanded the intervention of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Raising the issue ahead of Zero Hour in Rajya Sabha, BSP chief Mayawati alleged that the RSS-affiliate Bajrang Dal converted some Muslim families to Hinduism in Agra by force and by allurement. “This is a serious matter as allurement was used on poor to get them converted,” she said. The BSP chief claimed that a similar exercise is also being planned in Aligarh by the month-end where Christians will be converted to Hinduism.
The former UP chief minister pointed out that the Constitution guarantees religious freedom and it was the responsibility of both the Centre and the state government to ensure safety of life, property and religion of all. “The government should take serious note of the Agra incident and strict action should be taken,” she said and sought a response from the government. MPs from the Congress, the Left, the TMC and JDU also joined her and demanded that the government make a statement on the issue.
