The Hindu : Tamil Nadu News : Anti-conversion law: no scope for revival, says Jayalalithaa

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Sunday, May 22, 2005

Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu

Anti-conversion law: no scope for revival, says Jayalalithaa

Special Correspondent

Clarification due to misinformation on the issue by "evil forces" My Government will be a bulwark to protect the rights of the minorities: Jayalalithaa

CHENNAI: The Chief Minister, Jayalalithaa, allayed apprehensions of the people belonging to the minority communities on Saturday, making it clear that the Tamil Nadu Prohibition of Forcible Conversion of Religion (TNPFCR) Act, 2002 was no longer in vogue as it was repealed through an Ordinance last year.

In a statement here, Ms. Jayalaithaa said she had to make the clarification due to misinformation on the issue by some persons. "Many confused people had been asking the Government if the Act was really repealed or it was still in vogue."

The law was enacted on December 2, 2002 only with a view to promoting communal harmony among people of different religions, she said, adding that it was not intended to be used against the minorities. Recalling that she had assured then that the Act would in no way affect the minorities or infringe on their freedom, Ms. Jayalalithaa said this was evident from the fact that no case was registered under the Act right from its enactment till it was repealed.

"The Government headed by me has always been a secular one and it remains to be a bulwark protecting the rights of the Minorities. It has been strongly defending the rights and interests of the Christians, Muslims or any other minority community. Everyone is aware that my Government during its earlier tenure from 1991 to 1996 and during the current tenure from 2001 has set an exemplary record in protecting and promoting the rights and welfare of the minorities."

Misinformation campaign

But some "evil forces" which could not bear this position had been indulging in a misinformation campaign about the TNPFCR Act to mislead the people, particularly the minorities.

Ms. Jayalalithaa said with a view to ensure that communal amity in the State was not disturbed due to the continuous misinformation and following the pleas from Christian and Muslim leaders , she announced on May 18, 2004 that the Act would be repealed. An Ordinance to that effect was promulgated on the same day, she added.

Though the Ordinance through which the TNPCFR Act was repealed had lapsed, there was no scope for its revival . The legal position was affirmed by a five-judge bench of the Supreme Court in a case in 1985, Ms. Jayalalithaa said.

She said her Government, which followed the path laid down by the Dravidar Kazhagam founder, Periyar E. V. Ramasamy, and former Chief Ministers C. N. Annadurai and M. G. Ramachandran, would always protect the minorities and the oppressed .

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