Maulana Tauqeer Raza (file photo).
Maulana Taukeer Raza, a resident of Uttar Pradesh’s Bareilly district, is once again in the news. Recently, Maulana Taukeer Raza announced that he would perform mass conversion of 23 Hindu boys and girls. First of all, five boys and girls will be converted together on July 21. There has been an uproar after his statement. People from Hindu organizations protested and demanded action against him. While SSP Anurag Arya said that if anyone makes such an attempt, the police will handle it with full strictness and force.
National President of Millat Council, Maulana Taukeer Raza yesterday sought permission from the district administration for mass conversion and marriage. Taukeer Raza said that we have asked for permission, but Hindus are not even asking for it. A large number of Muslim girls converted and married Hindus. Maulana Tauqeer Raza said that in the first phase, conversion and marriage of five couples will take place at Khalil Higher Secondary School on July 21 at 11 am.
Hindu organizations protested
At the same time, Maulana Taukeer Raja’s announcement to convert 23 Hindu boys and girls and marry them has led several Hindu organizations to hit the streets. Reaching the district headquarters on Tuesday, Hindu organizations submitted a memorandum to Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath demanding action against Maulana Taukir Raza, which was attended by people from various Hindu organizations including Hindu Jagran Manch, Vishwa Hindu Parishad. He submitted a memorandum to District Magistrate Ravindra Kumar demanding strict action and said that Maulana Taukeer Raza is a criminal whose rightful place should be behind bars.
A writ petition was given to the City Magistrate
Bareilly Police-Administration has also sprung into action after Maulana Taukeer Raza’s announcement of conversion and marriage of Hindus. SSP Anurag Arya said that an event application was given to the city magistrate yesterday, which is being investigated by the police and the LIU. A report will be sent after the investigation. Bareilly Police assures all the residents of the district that no one will be allowed to create mischief with the peace and order of the city or the district. Even if someone makes such an attempt, the police will deal with it with full strictness and force. No program of any kind will be allowed in the district without permission.
Allahabad High Court Advocate gave the information
While sages have expressed displeasure over this statement of Maulana Taukeer Raza and demanded action, legal experts have also reacted to his statement. According to Allahabad High Court advocate Gaurav Dwivedi, the Constitution allows conversion, but Section 3 of the Uttar Pradesh Prohibition of Illegal Religious Conversion Act, brought in by the Yogi government of UP in 2021 to prevent illegal conversions, prevents forced conversions.
3 to 10 years imprisonment for illegal conversion
According to Advocate Gaurav Dwivedi, the Conversion Act of 2021 also provides for punishment for illegal conversion. Action can be taken against illegal conversion under Section 5 by registering a case. The new law has made strict provisions especially for the conversion of ST-SCs. If a person commits large-scale conversion by inducement or enticement, he can be punished with imprisonment of 3 to 10 years. Along with the punishment, the court can also impose a fine of 50 thousand rupees. According to Gaurav Dwivedi, the court has given strict decisions in many conversion cases and the Allahabad High Court has also denied bail to accused of illegal conversion.
