Kochi: BJP President Amit Shah today said his party is against forceful conversions and asked other political parties in the country to support a Bill in this regard if they are 'sincere' in their approach to secularism.
"BJP is against forceful conversions and that is why we want to bring a law. So-called secular parties should support BJP's move," said Mr Shah.
"A public debate on the matter can be taken up only after arriving at a consensus among political parties," he said when asked if BJP is ready to talk to minority organisations on this issue.
The conversions row has stalled work in Parliament, with a united opposition attacking the ruling BJP on religious conversions and demanding a statement from Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Sources however say the BJP has decided that it will not "not give an inch" on the demand for PM Modi's statement, after an assessment that the repeated calls for an intervention by the PM is an attempt to build a perception that he is not in control of members of his party and the government.
On the 'ghar wapsi' (homecoming) programme reportedly carried out by a pro-Hindu outfit in Uttar Pradesh, he said "the matter is before the court. I don't want to comment."
Mr Shah also dismissed Congress Vice-President Rahul Gandhi's allegation that the BJP is trying to divide the country on communal lines. "There is no basis for that," he said.
Referring to the black money issue, the BJP president said the party is committed to bringing back black money stashed abroad.
On the Assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir, he exuded confidence that the BJP would form the next government in the
state.
Mr Shah, who is on a two-day visit to Kerala, inaugurated a mega membership campaign programme of the party in Palakkad.
"BJP is against forceful conversions and that is why we want to bring a law. So-called secular parties should support BJP's move," said Mr Shah.
"A public debate on the matter can be taken up only after arriving at a consensus among political parties," he said when asked if BJP is ready to talk to minority organisations on this issue.
Sources however say the BJP has decided that it will not "not give an inch" on the demand for PM Modi's statement, after an assessment that the repeated calls for an intervention by the PM is an attempt to build a perception that he is not in control of members of his party and the government.
On the 'ghar wapsi' (homecoming) programme reportedly carried out by a pro-Hindu outfit in Uttar Pradesh, he said "the matter is before the court. I don't want to comment."
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Referring to the black money issue, the BJP president said the party is committed to bringing back black money stashed abroad.
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state.
Mr Shah, who is on a two-day visit to Kerala, inaugurated a mega membership campaign programme of the party in Palakkad.
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