Will not allow religious conversion, love jihad or land jihad: Suvendu

West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari on Thursday said religious conversion, “love jihad” and “land jihad” will not be allowed during his tenure.

Addressing a relief distribution programme in Muslim-majority Malda, Adhikari said religious conversion had occurred in the district’s Kaliachak area in the past, but that should not be repeated.

“If it happens in my tenure, no one will be worse than me. I am telling you that there should not be any more religious conversion anywhere. As long as I am alive, I will not allow Mothabari and Kaliachak (incidents to happen again),” Adhikari added. A case had been filed in 2023 alleging forced conversion of two brothers in Mothabari in the district bordering Bangladesh.

There had been communal riots where Hindus suffered the most, the chief minister said. “Love jihad and land jihad will be stopped. We have given land to BSF. Not even a fly will be allowed to enter,” Adhikari said.

The West Bengal Government has transferred 142.79 acres of land to the BSF in May for barbed-wire fencing and border outposts in several districts including Malda.

On the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, Adhikari said applicants would no longer have to approach others for certificates, as the Centre had given the state the power to issue them. “We will hold hearings and give certificates.

Those who have not applied should do it quickly.

Those who have already received certificates will be added to the voters list, and those among them belonging to Scheduled Castes will also get their caste certificates,” he said.

The chief minister also asked all to strictly follow the West Bengal Animal Slaughter Control Act, 1950.

Noting that social reform was needed in the district, Adhikari said the state would also work to make Malda drug-free and stop child marriages.

“Those who sing the entire Vande Mataram in schools and madrasas before classes begin will be my friends,” he said.

Adhikari also announced that a Kisan Development Board would be set up to support farmers and sought the continued support of the people.