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Governor seeks details of religious conversions

Mr. Jakhar examining anti-conversion bill forwarded for approval

Bhopal: Madhya Pradesh Governor Balram Jakhar is understood to have sought details of religious conversions that took place in the State over the last four decades while examining an anti-conversion bill forwarded to him for his approval, sources said on Saturday.

In a bid to get a clear picture on the issue, Mr. Jakhar has asked for detailed information regarding religious conversions in various districts since the enactment of the Freedom of Religion Act, as a recent amendment seeking to make it tougher is pending his approval, they said.

The amendment bill was passed by the State Assembly during its last monsoon session without any discussion when members of main Opposition Congress were busy raising another issue in the House vociferously, sources added. Congress leaders had criticised the way in which it was passed and requested Mr. Jakhar to hold his approval.

Seeking to curb religious conversion through force, pressure and allurement, the recent amendment makes prior permission from competent authorities mandatory and also provides for a jail term and penalty for both the priest and the convert if the conversion is unauthorised, they said.

Under the original Act, the person desirous of adopting a new religious faith is required to inform the authorities within a month of his conversion, sources said.

While the ruling BJP was of the view that the present law lacked necessary teeth to check conversion through force and allurement, the Governor seems to be keen to examine facts, they said.

The State Government will collect details about religious conversions from district authorities and provide them to the Governor, sources said.

While Opposition parties including Congress have termed the bill as a measure to "curb" the religious freedom of the people, various Christian bodies have alleged that atrocities against the minority community have increased under the BJP rule. -- PTI

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