NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court has asked BJP leader Ashwani Kumar Upadhyay to remove the scurrilous allegations made against minority religions in his petition against forcible religious conversions. Senior counsel Arvind P Datar, appearing for the petitioner, was directed by Justice MR Shah and Justice S Ravindra Bhatt to ensure that such remarks do not come on record.

During the hearing of the petition, senior advocate Dushyant Dave, who appeared for the Christian organizations, said that the petition contained extremely distasteful allegations against other religions. It is alleged in the petition that members of other religious groups commit rapes and murders. Dushyant Dave said that the affidavit given along with the petition contains things that are offensive remarks against the minority communities of the country. The court asked to remove all such references.

Justice MR Shah clarified that the request of Christian organizations to be added as a party to the petition can be considered. A bench comprising Justice MR Shah and Justice CT Ravikumar had earlier observed that forcible religious conversion was a serious issue.