Srinagar,UPDATED: Aug 19, 2023 23:16 IST
Issuing clarification on his “Hindus in India became Muslims” remark, Democratic Progressive Azad Party Chief Ghulam Nabi Azad said his statement was with regard to Hindu-Muslim unity.
“A very few Muslims have come from outside as most of them are Indian Muslims. Islam never expanded — either in the World or our Country — on the strength of a sword. It has expanded through love and message,” Azad said.
“I also said that Hindu Dhram is ancient, and it’s the truth as Islam did not originate in our country, but it reached here as it expanded in other nations over centuries,” he added.
Jammu and Kashmir’s former chief minister said Islam has globally existed since the Hazrat Adam period and shall continue to prosper till eternity.
Azad, who quit Congress in 2022 and announced the Democratic Progressive Azad Party, stated on Friday (August 18) that the majority of Indian Muslims have converted from Hinduism. He said an example of this can be found in the Kashmir Valley where a majority of Kashmiri Pandits converted to Islam.
“All other Muslims converted from Hinduism in India. An example of this can be found in Kashmir. 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.
On BJP leaders’ claim that “Muslims came from outside”, Azad said, “Nobody has come from outside or inside. Islam came into existence just 1,500 years ago. The Hindu religion is very old. Around 10-20 of them [Muslims] must have come from outside, some were there in the Mughal army. But the majority of them converted from Hinduism,” he said.
Azad also said Hindus and Muslims both “merge into this land” after their death and there is “no difference between them”. He added, “Whoever takes refuge in religion in politics is weak.”
