The Opposition again demanded a statement from PM Modi in Rajya Sabha over the issue of conversions.
With just a day to go before this session of Parliament ends, the Rajya Sabha or Upper House remained paralyzed today, with the opposition confronting the government over what it described as "an unacceptable agenda" of trying to convert Muslims and Christians to Hinduism. (
Why Government Will Have to Use Ordinances For Key Reforms)
Like all of last week, the opposition's protests meant no business could be transacted. Leaders demanded the Prime Minister explain his government's stand on conversions. "You don't need a 56-inch chest to come here, you just need a four-inch heart to come here," said Trinamool leader Derek O'Brien, referencing the PM's famous campaign line about the country's need for a leader with a strong chest.
The government is in a minority in the Rajya Sabha. Parliamentary Affairs Minister Venkaiah Naidu said today that the government is wedded strictly to "a development agenda."
But the opposition referred rancorously to a weekend speech by Mohan Bhagwat, chief of the right-wing Rashtriya Swayamsewak Sangh, which is also the ideological wing of the ruling BJP. Mr Bhagwat said on Saturday that
India is a "Hindu nation" where many Hindus had been forcibly converted to other religions.
"We will bring back those who have lost their way. They did not go on their own...they were lured into leaving."
His comments came after the BJP said it did not support forced religious conversions and called for an anti-conversion law.
(No Conflict Between RSS and BJP Over Conversion Issue, Says Venkaiah Naidu)The PM has been under fire for being slow to rein in hardline affiliate groups that have been accused of promoting a Hindu-dominant agenda that includes luring Muslims and Christians to convert to Hinduism.
Although the PM has privately warned lawmakers in his party to back off from controversial issues such as the conversion campaign, he has so far not made any official statement on the subject.