PM Modi Must Assure India that Her People Are Safe, and So is Their Religion: Azad

NEW DELHI: The Opposition did not let Prime Minister Narendra Modi off the hook on the issue of conversions and communalism, with Friday marking the end of a week of disruptions by slogan shouting members of the Rajya Sabha demanding a statement of assurance from him.

Friday was opened by Leader of the Opposition Ghulam Nabi Azad who in a reasoned speech, requested the PM to assure the House of action against all those indulging in communal statements and action outside Parliament.

Azad said that religious conversions had been taking place since times immemorial, even in countries like the U.S., and the issue really was against forcible conversions. In a clear reference to the Agra ceremony in which about 200 Muslims were converted into Hinduism he said that forced conversions, or conversions with bribes like ration cards, BPL cards were unconstitutional, and a criminal offence.

Azad pointed out to a silent House that the strength of India lay in her diversity and pluralism. He said that everyone felt proud when Prime Minister Narendra Modi received accolades during his visit abroad. He said that this was because he represented India respected for her multi-cultural and multi-religious ethos. And went on to point out that for the period this was seen to be tampered with ---in reference to the Gujarat violence 2002---the Prime Minister was not welcomed by the foreign governments, in fact not even allowed to visit.

Azad said that the fringe elements supporting conversions were committing a criminal offence. He said he had heard PM Modi’s election speeches, and he always asked for the votes for himself and not for the Bharatiya Janata Party. In response to loud protests from the treasury benches against this comment, Azad said that he was pointing this out as the PM always said he was answerable, and asked the voters to give him power so that he could deliver. He said it was thus imperative for the Prime Minister to give an assurance through the Rajya Sabha to the people that the minorities of India were safe and secure, and that the government would take stringent action against any persons violating the Constitution on this front. He said this was not being disrespectful as Parliament was the home for all elected representatives and the Opposition was only demanding that the PM come and make a statement in his own home.

"Unhone dard diya hai, toh dawa bhi woh hi denge (he gave pain, now he will give remedy)," Azad said. He said that the Prime Minister should assure all sections, and in particular Hindus, Muslims, Sikhs, Christians, Jains and all others that they are "safe in the country and so is their religion."

Azad warned that silence on this issue would lead to the perception that the ruling BJP and the government were supportive of the anti-minority actions and statements being delivered by individuals and organisations outside Parliament.

The treasury benches continued to block this demand with Ministers Prakash Javadekar and Mukhtar Naqvi insisting that the opposition should allow a debate on the issue of conversions, and not stall proceedings of the House. Slogan shouting opposition members trooped into the well of the House leading to adjournments of the Rajya Sabha.

The House witnessed total unity amongst the Opposition parties with all working together on this issue. The Prime Minister kept away from the Rajya Sabha on Friday.