Ghulam Nabi Azad Says Majority Of Muslims In India Converted From Hinduism, Cites Example Of Kashmiri Pandits

Former Congress leader and Democratic Progressive Azad Party (DPAP) chairman Ghulam Nabi Azad has said that most of the Indian Muslims have converted from Hinduism.

Ghulam Nabi Azad emphasized that religion should not be exploited for political gain. He stated that those who use religion in politics are displaying weakness.

"Some BJP leader said some (Muslims) have come from outside and some have not. Nobody has come from outside or inside. Islam came to existence just 1,500 years ago. Hindu religion is very old. Around 10-20 of them (Muslims) must have come from outside, some were there in the Mughal army," Azad said while addressing a gathering in J&K's Doda district, news agency PTI reported.

"All other Muslims converted from Hinduism in India," the former chief minister of erstwhile J&K state said.

Azad highlighted the example of Kashmir, where 600 years ago, all the people were Kashmiri Pandits who later converted to Islam.

"Who were the Muslims in Kashmir 600 years ago? All were Kashmiri Pandits. They converted to Islam. All are born into this religion," Azad said.

Ghulam Nabi Azad explained the Hindu cremation process, where the deceased are burned in various locations and their ashes are then placed in the river.

"Their ashes are placed in the river which mixes the water, and we drink that water," he said. "Later, who sees that the water contains their burnt ashes? People drink that water," the DPAP leader added.

Azad further emphasised that Muslims also become a part of the nation's soil upon their death.

"They, too, become a part of this land. Their flesh and their bones become a part of Bharat Mata's soil. Hindus and Muslims both merge into this land. What difference is there between them?" he added.

Azad criticised the use of religion for political gain, stating that those who rely on religion in politics are weak.

"Religion should not be used as a vote bank in politics. Voting should not be based on Hindu and Muslim names," he added.