BJP Pushing Hindutva, Not Growth: Ramadoss

Upset over Shah’s remark on NDA leadership in TN, PMK chief flays Centre’s line on introduction of an anti-conversion Bill

CHENNA: A day after BJP leader Amit Shah indicated that his party would lead the alliance in Tamil Nadu, PMK founder S Ramadoss on Monday lashed out at the party and its allied outfits on the issue of re-conversions and said that the BJP, which sought votes promising economic development, was trying to implement its Hindutva agenda.

Hitting out directly at Amit Shah for his remarks that the Centre was ready to bring the anti-conversion bill, Ramadoss alleged that the BJP government was trying to implement its Hindutva agenda.

PM Narendra Modi and his allied outfits should understand that the mandate of the people was to remove the hardships faced by the people during the Congress rule and not for creating Hindu Rashtra, he said.

Quoting from the BJP election manifesto for the 2014 Parliament elections, Ramadoss said the BJP government promised to facilitate the setting up of a permanent inter-faith consultative mechanism to promote harmony and trust. But the party’s activities after coming to power were contrary to its promise. Instead of trying to bring an anti-conversion bill, Modi should concentrate on guiding the nation in the path of development, the PMK leader said.

The Centre should stop the conversions taking place in the country by using IPC 153(A), Ramadoss said and alleged that the Union Government had asked its employees to observe ‘Good Governance Day’ on Christmas with a view to hindering celebrations.

The PMK leader said the views expressed by the BJP and Sangh parivar outfits were a cause for concern as it could trigger clashes between people living with a spirit of fraternity.

Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi leader Thol Thirumavalavan also condemned the Centre on the issue and said that an anti-conversion bill would be against the fundamental rights guaranteed in the Constitution, he said and wondered how the government would decide whether a conversion was taking place by force or not.

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