Uttarakhand governor Dr Aziz Qureshi demands anti-conversion law

MUMBAI: Joining the chorus of demand for anti-conversion law, Uttarakhand governor Dr Aziz Qureshi today said only a strong law can prevent conversions.

"The conversion ceremonies that are being carried out need to be stopped immediately. For stopping it, we need a strong law," Qureshi said, talking to reporters at Raj Bhavan here.

"Following a particular religion is a matter of personal beliefs. Hindu religion will not benefit when 2,000 or 4,000 Muslims are converted. Similarly, Muslim community will not lose anything. There should be no politics over the issue."

The veteran Congress leader said in reality there were only two religions: poverty and affluence. "If you want to fight, fight against these social inequalities," he said.

The Governor also opined that "the crore-patis sitting in the Parliament today cannot lead the poor people of this country. The present MPs do not reflect the thoughts of leaders like Gandhiji, Pandit Nehru and Deendayal Upadhyaya."

He also said, to a question, that the former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee should have been honoured with the Bharat Ratna during the Congress regime.

"It is a matter of pride that Vajpayee has been awarded the highest honour. But he should have been honoured during the Congress rule itself. It is too late to honour him now. The Congress could have set an example by honouring him," Qureshi said.