Elements from both sides raking up 'ghar wapsi' issue: Naqvi

Trying to do a balancing act on the religious conversions, union Minister of State for Minority Welfare and Parliamentary Affairs Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi Friday said "some elements from both sides" were raking up the issue to become "champions of communalism".

Talking to reporters here, he found fault with certain people from both sides for making 'ghar wapsi' (home coming) an issue and said this should be checked.

"This is competitive communalism and it is not good for society," he said when asked to comment on Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (MIM) president Asaduddin Owaisi's remarks on 'ghar wapsi'.

Claiming that development is the agenda of NDA government, he said the vested interests would not be allowed to derail it by creating problems in governance.

"This is hate jihad," he remarked when asked about the reports that Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) is using morphed face of actor Kareena Kapoor Khan half covered with a 'burqa' in its campaign against 'love jihad'.

The minister favoured a legislation to check forcible conversions. He, however, said the legislation should be brought after evolving consensus.

Naqvi, who met Telangana Deputy Chief Minister Mahmood Ali, said the central government had no objection to the state government's proposal to provide 12 percent reservations to Muslims. He felt this should be done within the framework of the Constitution.

Stating that 50 percent of Muslims in the country are living below poverty line, he said Narendra Modi government is committed to work for empowerment of minorities. He assured all necessary support to the states in their efforts for development of minorities.

The minister said the government would ensure proper implementation of the 15-point programme of the prime minister for the uplift of minorities.