Naidu accuses YSRCP of encouraging religious conversions
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu on Saturday accused the previous YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) government of encouraging forcible religious conversions and attacks on temples, while alleging that some people were pressured to change their faith.
Mr Naidu made the allegations while addressing a gathering at Gannela panchayat in Araku Valley mandal of Alluri Sitharama Raju district during the launch of the pilot phase of the Sanjeevani healthcare programme.
“Religion is a matter of faith. Forcing someone to accept or change their religion against their will is completely wrong and objectionable,” Mr Naidu said.
Referring to an allegation by the daughter-in-law of a former YSRCP minister, Mr Naidu said she had been prevented from performing puja at her house and pressured to convert to another religion. She had refused, he said.
The Chief Minister also alleged that some leaders of the previous government projected themselves as Hindus in public while promoting religious conversions.
He alleged that religion had been used as a criterion for joining the YSRCP and that several people had been pressured to change their faith.
Mr Naidu also accused the previous YSRCP government of damaging Andhra Pradesh during its five-year tenure.
He alleged that the government had introduced the ‘J’ brand and promoted adulterated liquor, which he claimed resulted in thousands of deaths and serious public health concerns.
The NDA government had eliminated adulterated liquor from the state, Mr Naidu said, warning of stringent action against those involved in manufacturing or selling spurious liquor.
Mr Naidu alleged that the previous YSRCP regime had promoted ganja cultivation as a commercial crop, giving the Agency region a bad name.
The NDA government was instead promoting Araku coffee, pepper and other commercially viable crops, he said.
The government would take responsibility for marketing and exporting organic produce from the Agency to international markets, Mr Naidu said, adding that the focus was on creating sustainable livelihoods and improving the economic prospects of tribal communities.