Denial of entry to temple: Dalit families threaten to convert

Meerut: Ten Dalit families of Jamalpur village here have said they will convert to Islam if they are not allowed to worship at the historic Lav Kush Janmabhoomi temple at Baleni.

In a memorandum submitted by the villagers to District Magistrate (DM) Pankaj Yadav and the SSP on January 5, they sought permission to worship in the temple by January 26 and threatened to convert otherwise.

Shyam Singh, a village resident, alleged that the priest had stopped him and ten other Balmiki families from worshipping at the temple on October 8 last year following which they lodged a complaint with the DM.

However, temple priest Swami Lakshyadevanand has refuted the allegations claiming that he never turned anyone away from worshipping.

"A man approached us seeking to lead a procession on Balmiki Jayanti. Since, it was a matter concerning the administration, he was asked to take permission from them," the priest told reporters. The villagers claimed no action was however taken following their complaint.

Meanwhile, Circle Officer Brijesh Singh said due to some misunderstanding, a dispute had occured between the priest and the families but has now been resolved adding, there is no issue of religious conversion as of now.

Bill if 'secular parties' support: Amit Shah

Bhubaneswar: Showing keenness on a general consensus the issue of stopping forceful religious conversion, BJP President Amit Shah said a bill can be brought in Parliament for the purpose if "so called" secular parties extend support. "Our stand on religious conversion is quite clear. BJP is in favour of a halt to forcible conversion. There needs to be a consensus on the issue," Shah tsaid. “An anti-conversion bill can be brought in the Parliament if the "so called" secular political parties extend their support.”