Do away with caste divide for nation's progress, says Adityanath; hails UP's anti-conversion law

The UP CM said his state had a stringent law against forced conversions with offenders liable to be jailed for as long as 10 years

No power in the world could stop India’s progress if we do away with the caste and religious discrimination in the country, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Aaditynath said on Monday.

According to the firebrand BJP leader, 'Sanatan Dharma' is the national religion of India and it must be respected by one and all.

“We have to do away with caste and regional discrimination and not use any divisive tactics. Only then, no power in the world can stop our progress," he said.

Yogi Adityanath, a BJP stalwart, was speaking at the Akhil Bharatiya Hindu Gor Banjara and Labhana Naikada Kumbh at Jamner in Jalgaon district. A large number of people from the Banjara community, RSS and Sangh Parivar outfits are attending the mega event.

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Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis also were to attend but the state government plane carrying them had to return after it encountered bad weather. They joined virtually later.

Yogi Adityanath also touched upon the issue of religious conversion pointing out that the Uttar Pradesh Prohibition of Unlawful Conversion of Religion Act came into force in November 2020 and cases are dealt with sternly.

"There are some people who carry out religious conversions, but we have to work together to stop them. With Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas and Sabka Prayas, we can defeat their purpose," Adityanath said.

On Sanatan Dharma, he said: “Sanatan Dharma is India's 'Rashtriya Dharma'. When we rise above selfishness, we connect to 'Rashtriya Dharma'.Our country is secure when we connect to the national religion…we have to rise above self and take India ahead.”