Lucknow: On April 14, the day when the nation marked Dr BR Ambedkar's 124th birth anniversary, around 800 people belonging to the Valmiki community in Uttar Pradesh's Rampur allegedly 'converted' to Islam in a last ditch attempt to save their houses from demolition.
The Rampur district administration had earlier this month marked some houses for demolition. The locals alleged that the demolition is being carried out to pave way for a shopping mall, which is backed by powerful Uttar Pradesh government minister Azam Khan – he represents Rampur in UP assembly.
As it became near certain that their houses will be demolished, around 800 people belonging to the Valmiki community announced that they have embraced Islam. A cleric was also called from Amroha in order to perform the rituals. However, when he failed to turn up, the people went ahead with their self-announced conversion and sported skull caps.
As the news spread, the district administration ensured huge police deployment in order to thwart any untoward incident.
Speaking to Zee Media, Wednesday, one of the newly 'converted' man refused to confirm that he has converted and said that their conversion is symbolic in nature, as of now.
He added that the community has no faith in the state government's assurance that their houses would not be demolished.
There are 67 houses in the area and the administration wants 22 to be demolished. It has also offered free houses in Kanshiram colony as compensation to those who will be affected.
On April 07, the Valimikis had carried out a protest march against the administration’s decision to demolish their houses.
Meanwhile, the issue has snowballed into a major political controversy with prominent parties now raking up the issue to attack the ruling Samajwadi Party in UP.
BJP leader and Gorakhpur MP Yogi Adityanath said that the administration is threatening to demolish the houses of Valimikis as the community has refused to convert to Islam. “Jungle raaj is prevailing in UP under the Samajwadi Party government,” Adityanath added.
Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) leader Sadhvi Prachi Tuesday evening reached Rampur and hit out at Azam Khan, saying that the UP minister is trying to convert Rampur into Pakistan.
She vociferously stated that not a single conversion would be tolerated.
Union Minister Sanjiv Balyan, who was in Amroha to attend a panchayat, announced that he will ensure that not a single Valimiki residing in the area is converted.
