New Delhi: Waseem Rizvi, former Uttar Pradesh Shia Waqf Board chairman, on Monday quit Islam and converted to Hinduism. Rizvi was welcomed into Hinduism by Swami Yati Narsighanand, the chief priest of Dasna Devi temple in Ghaziabad.
Rizvi will now be known by name of Jitendra Narayan Singh Tyagi after conversion to Hinduism. Speaking to media persons, Rizvi said, “I was removed from Islam. The prize money on my head is increased every Friday. Today I am embracing Sanatan Dharma.”
Rizvi also expressed his wish to be cremated after his death and his funeral pyre should be lit by Hindu seer Narasmiha Ananda Saraswati of Dasna temple.
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.”
Last month, he also shared a video on social media, in which he said that his body must be handed over to Mahant Narasimha Nanda Saraswati and he should light his pyre.
Former #UttarPradesh Shia Central Waqf Board chairman #WasimRizvi has a penchant for controversies. He has now released a video-recorded message expressing his desire to be cremated according to Hindu rituals and not buried. pic.twitter.com/fosUjFf4jp
— IANS Tweets (@ians_india) November 15, 2021
No stranger to controversy
The former UP Waqf Board Chairman has stirred hornet’s nest at many occasions with his sharp criticism of the Islamic holy book and portraying Prophet Muhammad in bad light.
In March, Waseem Rizvi had ire of Muslim groups and also received threats to life after he filed PIL in the Top Court, demanding removal of some verses from the Quran.
In May 2021, Rizvi kicked up a major controversy as he claimed to have created a ‘new Quran’ and also appealed to Prime Minister to authorize the use of ‘new Quran’ in madrassas & Muslim institutes.
He also received threats after he released a book that allegedly portrayed Prophet Muhammad in a bad light. Rizvi has also advocated for construction of Ram temple in Ayodhya, another issue that further alienated him within the Muslim community.
