India's Muslim Community Leaders Urge to Support Modi's Gov't: Reports

Muslim community leaders in India have urged Muslims to support the policies of the country's Prime Minister Narendra Modi, following recent disputes over their religious freedom, the Times of India reported Wednesday.

MOSCOW, December 31 (Sputnik) — The leaders' comments come amid recent allegations that some 200 Muslims in the north of the country were offered money to convert to Hinduism. Prior to this, controversial resolutions by a village-level organization banned non-Hindu religious activity.

"Let us come out of past, join hands to strengthen the government led by PM Modi ji. A fair trial should be accorded to the new government to see what it has to offer to the minority people," former member of the country's center-left Janata Dal United party, Sabir Ali, was quoted as saying by the newspaper at a Muslim conference.

Islam is the second-largest religion in India after Hinduism. Muslims in India also make up the world's largest Muslim minority.

Ali added that if religious minorities are satisfied with the performance of Modi's administration, they would continue to support the government, or seek a "new course."

Modi came into power in May 2014. Economic growth and development for all are among the key polices of the Modi administration. However, there is still fear among minority communities that the government intends to make India a completely Hindu nation, according to local media.