The Hindu : Karnataka News : Govt. will not tolerate conversion: Prakash

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, Jan 17, 2005

Karnataka

Karnataka

Govt. will not tolerate conversion: Prakash

By Our Staff Correspondent

BIJAPUR, JAN. 16. The Revenue Minister, M.P. Prakash, has said that the Government will uphold the law with regard to the three-day "Festival of Blessings" programme being organised at Jakkur airstrip in Bangalore from January 21 in which the controversial American evangelist Benny Hinn will be participating.

Addressing a press conference here today, he said religious conversion through allurement or any other means would not be tolerated. If the occasion was being misused, those responsible for that will be dealt with "whoever they may be and however big they may be."

Mr. Prakash denied allegations that the State Government has a soft corner about the organisers of the programme due to pressure by the Congress President, Sonia Gandhi.

Archakas' appointment

On the controversy over appointing members of Scheduled Castes as "archakas" to temples under the Department of Muzrai, he said certain prequalification would be followed.

Those who aspired to become archakas, must be qualified in "agama-shastra" (method of worshiping Hindu deity) as every temple had its own traditions, followers and beliefs, he said. If eligible persons are available from the Scheduled Castes or any other castes, they will be appointed as per the norms.

Gauge conversion

Admitting the delay in releasing funds to the Bijapur-Gadag gauge conversion project as per the cost sharing agreement the State Government has with the Railways, he said the amount due to the railways was Rs. 61 crores and it had been decided to release Rs. 10 crores immediately.

Dissidence

He ruled out the possibility of dissidence in the Janata Dal (Secular) being originated and abated by the Congress. Such an assumption had no logic whatsoever, he said.

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