Akhilesh Yadav Criticizes UP Government's New Conversion Law

Akhilesh Yadav criticized the Uttar Pradesh government for amending the Unlawful Conversion of Religion Act, alleging that it seeks to distract from pressing social issues through communal politics. He addressed this issue and others, such as infrastructure development and social unrest, to highlight governance failures.

On Tuesday, Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav condemned the Uttar Pradesh government for proposing amendments to the Unlawful Conversion of Religion Act, accusing it of diverting the public's focus through communal politics.

'What else do they have? They are not doing anything new,' Yadav remarked to reporters outside Parliament when questioned about the bill pending discussion in the Uttar Pradesh Assembly.

The proposed amendments to the Uttar Pradesh Prohibition of Unlawful Conversion of Religion Bill, 2024 include strict punitive measures for those accused of religious conversion under threat, coercion, or deceit. However, Yadav alleged that these efforts are merely distractions from more pressing issues like livelihood and social welfare.

Former Chief Minister Yadav also pointed out the government's negligence in infrastructure projects, such as the expessway connecting Delhi to Bhagalpur, and criticized them for stoking religious tension through actions like the kanwar yatra controversy.

Samajwadi MP Awadhesh Prasad echoed similar concerns, noting the plight faced by farmers and the issues of unemployment and price hikes. Meanwhile, Azad Samaj Party MP Chandrashekhar accused the government of failing to address basic needs like food, shelter, and education, asserting that the focus on religious politics is a deliberate tactic to divert attention.