Mass conversion is a matter of concern and it needs to be checked across the country, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh said on Tuesday, 15 January, news agency PTI reported.
He was speaking at at a function organised by a Christian body, Rashtriya Isai Mahasangh.
"I would also say one thing on the Christian community. We do not want to level allegations against anybody. You may have also heard. If somebody wants to accept a religion, he should do that. There should not be any objection to it. But if mass conversion starts happening, large number of people start changing their religion, then it could be a matter of concern for any country," Singh said.
He said that in almost all countries, including Britain and the US, minorities demand anti-conversion laws.
“Here (in India), I see majority demand that there should be an anti-conversion law. Then it is a matter of concern. It should not happen”Rajnath Singh, Home Minister
"I have never discriminated on the basis of caste, creed and religion in my life. Whether or not we get votes; whether or not we form the government, whether we win or lose. But we will never discriminate among people. This is what our prime minister feels," the Union minister said.
Singh also claimed that there have been attempts to defame the BJP-led NDA government.
“Recently, stones were pelted at the churches. Some priests came and met me to demand security. I assured them all that those behind it will be punished. I also assured security to them. But it (stone pelting) started a month before the Assembly elections and stopped a month after that. What would you say on that? Whose conspiracy is that,” he asked.
The home minister went on to say that attempts of instilling fear among people are on.
“BJP aa gayi. Ab gadbad hoga, ye hoga, wo hoga (BJP has come. Now this or that will happen). We do not want to run the country by instilling a sense of fear. We want to run this country with a sense of confidence (among people). Nobody should have a sense of alienation. This will be our effort,” he said, adding that "all are welcome in the country.”
(With inputs from PTI)
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