Kolkata, Jan 30 (IANS) Coming down heavily on forced religious conversions West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, in a veiled attack on the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Friday, challenged it to amend the secular Indian Constitution.
"Why should someone force others to convert? Who gave them that responsibility? Some people are saying this religion is good, that is bad. Don't ride the rickshaw pulled by a man of this religion... etc.
"They are controlling people; they don't know when you are in power you must practice good governance first. Good governance doesn't mean controlling others. You can't control anybody's rights.
"Secularism is enshrined in the Constitution. If you want to do that (control) and if you have the guts then go and amend the Constitution, change it...," Banerjee said at a function here.
The Trinamool Congress (TMC) supremo's comments came a day after an FIR was registered against Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) chief Pravin Togadia and functionary Jugal Kishore for hurting religious sentiments following the alleged conversion of over 100 tribals in West Bengal.
Banerjee said people are using money to convert people.
"What kind of religious conversions? Forcibly some people are indulging in religious conversions by giving money.
"Tribal people are our pride. Why do they have to undergo conversion. They will decide for themselves," she said.
The TMC had alleged that the VHP conducted a 'ghar wapsi' ceremony at Kharmadanga village in Rampurhat in the district Wednesday during which nearly 150 Christians were 'forcibly' converted.
The VHP refuted the charges of conversion but claimed that a Hindu religious ceremony was conducted in which over 1,000 people from the village, including Muslims and Christians took part.
On Mahatma Gandhi's 67th death anniversary Friday, Banerjee stressed on communal harmony and said there is an attempt to foment religious tensions in the state.
"The Indian Constitution doesn't give the right to disrespect others. Indian Constitution is a secular constitution and tells us to treat religions equally.
"We are noticing (some people are) triggering a conflict between one religion and another. Some people are trying to incite violence and tension among different religions".
She added: "If someone thinks that now they are in the chair (in power) and will throw away others, then people will throw away such persons."
Russia-Ukraine War: PM Modi spoke to the President of Ukraine for 35 minutes, thanked him for his efforts to evacuate Indians
Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Monday. It has been told that the talk between the two lasted for about 35 minutes on the phone. During this, PM Modi
Monsoon knocks in the country, bringing relief to some and trouble to others; see the condition of your state in pictures
Monsoon has entered many states of India including Delhi NCR. Monsoon has also reached Uttar Pradesh via Bihar. People struggling with scorching heat in many states have got relief due to rain, while
Corona in Delhi: Government is worried about the increasing pace of infection, Sisodia said - decide according to the advisory
The government and the health department are worried about the increasing rate of corona infection in Delhi. The cases coming to the schools have added to this concern. On Friday, the Deputy CM of the
Paytm: Decision on the fate of Paytm founder today, shareholders suffering from loss will do this work
The fate of Vijay Shekhar Sharma, the founder of Paytm, a digital payment service provider, is going to be decided today. Shareholders are going to decide on many issues through voting at the
Association for deaf opposes merger of bodies
New Delhi, March 16 (IANS) The National Association of the Deaf (NAD) on Monday opposed the merger of Indian Sign Language Research and Training Centre (ISLRTC) with National Institute of Hearing
Israel Hamas War: US Secretary of State reaches Arab country amid war, will adopt new stance on Gaza ceasefire
The Israel-Hamas war is about to complete one month, but there is no sign of the war stopping. The Israeli army is continuously carrying out air and ground attacks on Gaza. Meanwhile, the Jordanian
S. Jaishankar: External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar will leave for Uzbekistan today, and will face-to-face with Bilawal Bhutto
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar will leave on Thursday on a two-day visit to the capital of Uzbekistan, Tashkent. He will attend the Foreign Ministers' Conference of the Shanghai Cooperation
DU Admission: Delhi University will release second list for PG admissions today, will be able to check like this
Delhi University Admission: Delhi University will release the second admission list for postgraduate admissions on Wednesday, December 7. Candidates who have applied for admission to postgraduate
Russia-Ukraine War Updates: Britain will give multi-launch rocket system to Ukraine, British Defense Minister said - I believe Ukraine will win
It has been more than 100 days since the Russia-Ukraine war, but no results are visible. Meanwhile, Britain said on Monday that it would give Ukraine a multi-launch rocket system. Through this system,
West Bengal elections: Has Abbas Siddiqui made Mamata Banerjee sleepless?
The Pir, which the locals call Dada Huzur, was a Sufi saint of the 19th century. He did many things for education and social reform.
