MUMBAI: A very stringent anti-conversion law that will ensure zero religious conversions in Maharashtra will be enacted once the Mahayuti comes to power, promised Union home minister Amit Shah. On Sunday, he released the BJP’s “Sankalp Patra” (election manifesto) in Mumbai, listing 25 promises that the Mahayuti will fulfil if elected to power.
Meanwhile, elsewhere in Maharashtra, Shah in his speech made it clear there will be no religion-based reservation for education and employment.
People from SC, ST, OBC communities need not worry: Shah
The party has been wooing the Hindu community in this election, and the announcement is seen as a concrete attempt to take the party’s election slogans “Batenge toh Katenge (divided we shall be cut), Ek hain toh safe hai (We are safe if we are one)” a step forward. Speaking on the anti-conversion law, Shah said the BJP will form an internal committee to draft the anti-conversion law. “…after the Mahayuti forms the government, it will constitute a committee to hold discussions with all stakeholders. It will come up with very stringent laws so religious conversions do not take place,” said Shah.
In Mumbai, Shah said PM Modi brought a bill to improve the Waqf Board, but in Karnataka, attempts were made to evict villages and even temples constructed on Waqf land. “When the opposition says it wants to improve the Waqf Board bill, it means this can happen even in Maharashtra,” he said. Shah addressed a press meet after the event.
Mahayuti will meet & decide after polls: Shah on CM face
On who would be the next CM, Shah said after elections, the three parties will sit together and take a decision. On increasing number of family members of party members being given tickets , Shah said the party made attempts to reduce number of such candidates. “There are more family dynasts in MVA,” he said. On a common minimum programme, Shah said the first ten points of Sankalp Patra were of Mahayuti. “Every party will announce its own Sankalp Patra. Once Mahayuti forms govt, a committee of ministers from all three parties will be formed to pritise commitments made and ensure 100% implementation,” he said.
Attacking Uddhav Thackeray, he said MVA promises are merely to “grab power”. Urging people to vote for Mahayuti, he said the 2019 people’s mandate was betrayed. “Thackeray should decide where he wants to sit. He is sitting with people who opposed abrogation of Article 370, amendment to CAA, NCR, Ram Mandir construction… I want to ask himif he can appeal to Rahul Gandhi to speak a few good words on Veer Savarkar, can he ask Congress members to say a few good words on Bal Thackeray.”