Birbhum ‘conversion’ being probed: Mamata Banerjee

Speaking at a programme in Birbhum’s Rampurhat, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Tuesday said the state will not allow politics of riot.

People who play with fire in politics should stop such games, she added while referring to the alleged recent “reconversion” of 15 tribal families by the VHP at a village in Rampurhat. “The tribal families have lodged a complaint that there has been forcible conversion. We are inquiring into the incident. If we get one evidence of forcible conversion, we will not spare anybody.”

Claiming that she will not allow “outsiders to deliver lecture on Hinduism” in Bengal, Mamata said: “We are Hindus. But we respect Muslims, Christians, Sikhs, tribals and OBCs. We never allow them to deliver provocative speeches here and indulge into communal violence.” Mamata on Tuesday announced a Tarapith Development Authority in Birbhum to woo voters in the area where BJP had gained considerable support in the last few months.