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RSS 're-converts' 200 Agra Muslims, says more in line

Read this in Hindi:

धर्मांतरण के मुद्दे पर भारी हंगामा, लोकसभा स्थगित

NEW DELHI: Uproar continued in the Lok Sabha on Thursday with almost all opposition parties demanding the suspension of the question hour and a discussion on the Agra "conversions".As soon as the house met for the day, members of the Congress, Trinamool Congress, RJD and CPM trooped near the Speaker's podium, and also raised slogans like "Modi sarkaar hosh mein aao" (Wake up, Modi government) and "Hindu-Muslim bhai-bhai".Lure of ration cards led to Agra 'reconversion'?Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge asked Speaker Sumitra Mahajan to allow a discussion on the issue."You have full powers to suspend the question hour. The government has already agreed to a discussion, kindly allow us," he said."We are more than willing to discuss religious conversion issue, we want a law against it," parliamentary affairs minister Venkaiah Naidu said in the Lok Sabha.Samajwadi Party leader Mulayam Singh Yadav said that the matter should be taken "seriously"."Otherwise, there might be riots," he said.(In a mass ceremony, about 200 Muslims were 'reconverted' to Hinduism in Agra on Monday.)The house was briefly adjourned for 10 minutes.When the house was reconvened, opposition parties again raised the issue.Speaking to reporters outside Parliament, Venkaiah Naidu said that the NDA government is keen on discussing all issues."With regard to conversion and reconversion, if the opposition wants to have a discussion, we are ready to have a detailed discussion in the House. We are also willing, if at all there is all party support, let there be a legislation also to ban conversion because this has been the wish of Mahatama Gandhi," he said.In case of conversion or reconversion, there are often allegations that inducement were offered to people, Naidu said."That being the case, let the Parliament of India discuss the issue threadbare and then come to a conclusion together. Let all the states and Centre together tackle this task about conversions and reconversions," the minister said.Hitting out at the opposition, Naidu said it is not befitting for them to find an issue everyday to create "political hungama" to attack the government."If you are really sincere, give a notice, take permission from the Speaker and have a discussion," Naidu advised the opposition parties. He reminded that Mahatama Gandhi had said proselytising is an enemy of the nation."If the House agrees, the government will have no problem in bringing an anti-conversion bill," he said.BJP MP Kirti Azad said that there cannot be forceful conversions and in India people have been converting and reconverting for hundreds of years."What I have heard happened in Uttar Pradesh. The Uttar Pradesh Government should take action on it if anything wrong is going on. Why should it be made an issue to bring the nation to a standstill," he said.(With inputs from agencies)