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Rajasthan passes anti-conversion Bill

Special Correspondent

Entire Opposition stays away in protest, Assembly witnesses uproarious scenes during the discussion

JAIPUR: The Rajasthan Assembly on Friday passed the controversial anti-conversion Bill, titled "Rajasthan Dharma Swatantraya Bill, 2006" (Religious Freedom Bill) even as the entire Opposition stayed away from the House in protest. The Assembly witnessed uproarious scenes throughout the two and a half hours long discussion on the legislation which has a provision for re-conversion to Hindu faith.

Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje was not present in the House even as the ruling party members battled the Opposition over the Bill, taken up on the concluding day of the Budget session to pass it with a voice vote. The Congress and the Communist Party of India (Marxist) Opposition continued their boycott of the proceedings for the rest of the day even after attempts from the ruling party to bring them back after the passage of the Bill.

The Opposition members also kept away from a function attended by Governor Pratibha Patil to felicitate N.S. Gujjar, the MLA chosen as the Best Legislator for the year 2005-06. They also stayed away from the film show and dinner, arranged by Ms. Raje for them to mark the end of the session.

Home Minister Gulab Chand Kataria, who piloted the Bill, said it was needed to check the activities of Christian missionaries in certain parts of the State, especially in Kota. However, Mr. Kataria said the Bill was not against any religion. "All religions will be treated equally when it comes to conversions. If anyone wants to change his religion on his own he can still do it," he promised. Similar Bills, introduced in the States like Madhya Pradesh and Orissa in the past had the approval of the Supreme Court, he noted.

The new legislation, passed with minor amendments seeks to stop conversions through use of "force or allurement or by fraudulent means". An offence under the Act is cognizable and non-bailable. The punishment for violation of the provisions of the Act can be a minimum two years simple imprisonment, which may be extended up to five years and a fine of up to Rs.50000.

The Congress members and the CPI (M), member Amra Ram, termed the Bill an attack on the freedom of speech and expression, freedom of conscience and freedom to profess, practice and propagate religion, enshrined in the Constitution. The Opposition attempts to get the Bill referred to a Select Committee of the House did not find acceptance with the ruling party.

"The Bill is an attempt to suppress the minorities. It can be used against the Sikhs, Muslims, Christians, Buddhists, Jains and others," Zuber Khan, Chief Whip of the Congress party said. Mr. Khan challenged the Government to give a single instance of forcible conversion in Rajasthan during its rule. "The legislation is being used as a political tool. When you talk about the `one's original religion' where do you draw the line?" he asked referring to the clause that a person could be lawfully converted (back) into one's "original" religion.

The Congress members Sanyam Lodha and Mohammed Mahir Azad said there were ample chances of misuse of the legislation. Mr. Lodha pointed out that the Bill had kept same kind of punishment for converting as well as attempt to convert. The CPI (M) member, Mr. Ram said the public opinion was not in favour of such a draconian bill.

The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party members, vying among themselves, tried to take maximum political advantage of the enactment of the Bill, trying to project the main Opposition party, the Congress as "anti-Hindu". Education Minister Ghanshyam Tiwari said at least on two occasions: "the Congress party is acting against the interests of Hindus under the leadership of B.D. Kalla". Mr. Kalla as well as the Leader of the Opposition, Ramnarain Choudhary explained that the Congress party stood for all religions.

There were some unsavoury scenes in the House when the ruling party members vociferously protested over the remarks about Hindu religion by Congress MLA Mahipal Yadav. Chief Whip of the ruling party Mahaveer Jain, tried to move a resolution to remove Mr. Yadav from the House with the argument that he (Mr. Yadav) is mentally unsteady as no sane person can talk about Hindu religionists in such a derogatory manner.

The intervention of Speaker Sumitra Singh who later took over the chair from Deputy Speaker Ramnarain Bishnoi, did not help to improve the situation. "What he said was highly objectionable. He insulted the whole House," Ms. Singh said after examining the proceedings. However she did not give any ruling but asked Mr. Yadav to leave the House immediately. The intervention of senior Congress leaders, Mr. Choudhary, Pradhyuman Singh and C.P. Joshi helped to ease the atmosphere to a great extent but Mr. Yadav had to leave the House finally without getting a chance to explain his position.

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Rajasthan passes anti-conversion Bill

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