'Ghar wapsi' issue to figure at Muslim Personal Law Board meet

Lucknow: The issue of 'ghar wapsi' programme by some Hindu organisations is likely to figure prominently in the three-day meet of the All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) scheduled to be held in Jaipur from March 20.

"The Jamaits and the Board have already clarified their stand on the issue. It's only a propaganda," AIMLPB General Secretary Maulana Nizamuddin told PTI.

He said that though the matter has not been included in the general agenda, it would be raised in the meeting.

"Thought should be given whether the country will progress or get destroyed. What does this 'ghar wapsi' programme mean?" he asked.

"Tomorrow you will tell Christians to become Hindus, the next day you will tell Muslims to become Hindus. Is it a joke? It's like insulting the entire community," he said.

He said the agenda of the meeting was general in nature and such contentious issues were not included in it.

"It is a secular state where all communities exist since long," he said.

He said a campaign was being carried out against Muslims, but generally such issues are kept out of the agenda.

"But, if some questions crop up, the board give its reply," he said.

To a question, he dismissed as "politics" the ban on beef by the Maharashtra government.

"It's all politics," he said. "Whether it is Maharashtra or Kolkata, not only Muslims, but other persons also eat beef," he claimed.

He said the issue did not pertain to Muslims alone. But, the business of many persons and companies would be affected due to the ban.