UP church issue: Adityanath should discard his 'old style', says Congress

Recalling Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath's image as a Hindutva 'firebrand,' the Congress Party on Sunday said that the former should discard his 'old style' and should work towards the development of the state.

Congress leader Meem Afzal said Adityanath would be at loss if he continues to do things as per his wish.

The leader further said that the Hindu Yuva Vahini, being founded by the Chief Minister, are resorting to such things because it is sure that no investigation would take place against the organisation.

"On the one hand there is propaganda that he is making efforts to improve Uttar Pradesh, and on the other hand his old style is also being carried forward. As the Chief Minister, he should stop that and work towards the development of Uttar Pradesh. He will be at loss if he tries to do whatever he wants to only because he now has power," Afzal told ANI.

Resonating similar views, another Congress leader Pramod Tiwari called out for an investigation, saying that the truth should be revealed.

"If conversion is done forcefully, then it is wrong. If such a thing was happening, then it was appropriate to stop it. But if it was stopped only because they are of other religion then it is wrong. The law should take its course and the truth should be revealed," Tiwari told ANI.

The Hindu Yuva Vahini yesterday interrupted a Church prayer service alleging that religious conversion was being carried out and filed a complaint against Yohannan Adam, the pastor of the church, accusing him of converting Hindus to Christianity, which was flatly denied by the latter.

The service, which was being attended by more than 150 people including foreign tourists, was interrupted by the youth group who barged into the hall and created a ruckus.

The tourists were let go after their passports were thoroughly checked.

The Christian group denied that it was carrying out conversions and asserted that it was a simple prayer service.

"The police personnel even climbed onto our holy altar and took away our bible and song books. They even questioned all those who came to attend the prayer." Pastor Adam told ANI.

This is not the first such instance that has come to light, as earlier this year the Hindu Yuva Vahini had attacked the Full Gospel Church in Gorakhpur over similar allegations.

The Hindu right wing has continuously and vociferously alleged that Christian missionaries are converting people through coercion.