BJP defends conversion, tells UP govt to probe

Attempting to steer clear of the row over “conversion” of families who were “lured to change their religion”, the BJP said the Uttar Pradesh government was free to act against activists if they violated law but said it did not find fault in the “homecoming” programme .

About 57 ragpickers from Muslim community were converted into Hindus at a programme organised by Hindu outfits RSS and Bajrang Dal in Agra.

The organisers claimed that the families were essentially Hindus but took up Islam about 30 years ago and they are coming back. But on Wednesday some of the “converts” said that they were lured by the activists who promised Aadhaar cards and other facilities.

Unfazed by the severe criticism, BJP firebrand MP from Gorakhpur Adityanath, who was reprimanded by the Election Commission for hate speech during Assembly bypolls, made it known that he is not aborting a similar event planned in Aligarh on December 25 to convert Christians and Muslims into Hindus. “This is not conversion but homecoming. My program is in Aligarh and it will happen. Those who want to return voluntarily will be welcome,” Adityanath said.