Former UP Shia Waqf Board chief Waseem Rizvi converts to Hinduism
Former UP Shia Waqf Board chairman Waseem Rizvi on Monday quit Islam and converted to Hinduism.
Former Uttar Pradesh Shia Waqf Board chairman Waseem Rizvi on Monday quit Islam and converted to Hinduism.
Rizvi was converted to Hinduism by Swami Yati Narsinghanand, the head priest of Dasna Devi temple in Ghaziabad. Rizvi's new name after religious conversion would be Jitendra Narayan Singh Tyagi, said Narsinghanand.
Speaking to India Today TV, Rizvi said, "I was removed from Islam. The prize money on my head is increased every Friday. Today I am embracing Sanatan Dharma."
Swami Chakrapani Maharaj, national president of All India Hindu Mahasabha, said, "The decision of former Muslim cleric Waseem Rizvi sahab to accept Hindu Sanatan Dharma is welcome. All India Hindu Mahasabha, Sant Mahasabha welcomes him. Waseem Rizvi Sahab is now a part of our Hindu Sanatan Dharma, no fanatic should dare to issue a fatwa against him. The central and state governments should provide him proper security."
Waseem Rizvi had allegedly received threats to life after he filed a PIL in the Supreme Court seeking the removal of some verses from the Quran, which he alleged taught violence. His appeal was, however, rejected by the Supreme Court.
He also received threats after he released a book that allegedly portrayed Prophet Muhammad in a bad light.
Following these controversies and threats, Rizvi recorded himself expressing his desire to be cremated according to Hindu rituals and not buried. In a video, Rizvi mentioned that his body must be handed over to his Hindu friend, Mahant Narsinghanand Saraswati of the Dasna temple, and he should light his pyre.
WATCH | 'Cremate me, hand my body to Hindu friend': Waseem Rizvi following controversy over Quran verses