UP: 50 Dalit families threatened to convert to Islam

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MEERUT: As many as 50 Dalit families have threatened to convert to Islam after being prevented from installing an idol in a local Shiva temple.

According to media reports said on Thursday, at least a 100 families had threatened of conversion. The villagers alleged that the four families, also Dalits stopped them from installing the idol because they actually used the temple premises to park their cars and tractors.

One of the protestors Rajkumar said “We are Hindus. If we can’t put a goddess idol in a temple then where should we go? It’s better to convert”.

“Nearly all the families who were denied installation of the idol of ‘Maa Kali’ will follow the same route if the district administration does not intervene soon,” said Kuldeep Kumar, another villager.

The news agency ANI UP reported about the development. “50 Dalit families in Meerut’s Incholi threaten to convert after being allegedly denied to put Goddess Kali idol in the village temple by locals. Rajkumar, a protester says ‘We are Hindus, if we can’t put a goddess idol in a temple then where should we go? its better to convert’”.

Additional District Magistrate (Enforcement) Ram Chandra informing about the protest said, “Protesters have alleged that they wanted to place an idol in the village temple and they were stopped by other locals. We will investigate the matter. I don’t know about the religious conversion demand, the matter will be resolved”.