The young MP makes several demands to improve educational opportunities in her constituency
Team Clarion
NEW DELHI — Iqra Hasan, the young Samajwadi Party MP from Kairana in western Uttar Pradesh, has come down heavily on the recently enacted Uttar Pradesh Unlawful Religious Conversion (Amendment) Act, 2024.
Passed on the second day of the monsoon session of the Uttar Pradesh Assembly, the amended act imposes stringent penalties, including life imprisonment or a fine of Rs 5 lakh for cases of fraudulent or forced conversion.
Speaking in Lok Sabha on Friday, the London-educated MP accused the Yogi Adityanath government in Uttar Pradesh of politicising religion and interfering in civil affairs, which she claims is a threat to democracy.
Iqra Hasan has been vocal about her concerns regarding the government’s approach to religious conversions. “The BJP government only knows how to politicise religion. The government’s interference in civil matters threatens democracy,” she stated. Hasan argued that existing laws are sufficient to address issues of forced or fraudulent conversions, and further legislation is unnecessary. “If two adults are using the rights given in the constitution of their own accord, what is the meaning of the government’s intervention?” she questioned, emphasising that additional laws could infringe on personal freedoms.
Iqra Hasan also highlighted instances of alleged discrimination, such as the installation of nameplates targeting specific communities during the Kanwar Yatra. “Such actions are unfairly targeting a certain class,” she said, criticising the government for fostering discriminatory practices. Hasan contends that the BJP’s focus on religious matters is divisive and harmful to social cohesion. “This kind of politics aims to spew poison in society,” she remarked, advocating for a more inclusive approach.
In addition to her critique of the new conversion law, Iqra Hasan has made several demands to improve educational opportunities in her constituency. She has called for the introduction of B.Ed and LLB courses at Vijay Singh Pathak Degree College in Kairana, emphasising the potential benefits for local women and youth in finding employment. She also urged the establishment of a Girls Degree College and Girls Hostel in Shamli, as well as new Kendriya Vidyalayas and Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas in the district.
Further, the young MP requested special funds for vocational courses and campus operations at Shikambahari Devi Mahavidyalaya in Saharanpur. She highlighted the urgent need for Shiksha Mitras to fill teaching vacancies in primary and high schools across Uttar Pradesh.
In her maiden speech in the Lok Sabha on July 26, Hasan underscored the importance of improved rail connectivity for her constituency. She called for expedited completion of pending railway projects, including the Panipat-Kairana-Meerut route, which has been surveyed multiple times but has yet to see progress. She stressed that enhanced rail connectivity is crucial for the public’s convenience and overall development of the region.
