The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh News : Bill to prohibit ‘propaganda’ in religious places adopted

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Tuesday, Jul 24, 2007
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Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh

Bill to prohibit ‘propaganda’ in religious places adopted

Left parties, MIM wants the Bill to be referred to a Select Committee
TRS, BJP, Janata Party and the Congress party
support bill

HYDERABAD: A Bill empowering the State to prohibit propagation of religion in places of worship or prayer other than that traditionally practised at such places was adopted by the Assembly amidst opposition from the Left and MIM members.

The CPI(M), CPI and MIM wanted the Bill to be referred to a Select Committee while the TRS, BJP, Janata Party and the Congress supported it. M.A. Gafoor (CPI-M) said the Bill contained ‘dangerous’ clauses and would send a wrong message.

Akbaruddin Owaisi (MIM) said “this is not a Bill of a secular-minded Government".

G. Kishan Reddy (BJP) said the Bill should have been introduced much earlier. Christine Lazarus (Nom) expressed fears that the Bill would be used as a “weapon against non-Hindus”.

Demand rejected

Rejecting the demand for reference to the Select Committee, Endowments Minister J. Ratnakara Rao said the Bill was intended to prohibit propagation of other religions in certain notified places of worship to ensure that sentiments of that religious group were not hurt and public order was not disturbed.

The House also adopted four Bills, including one to amend the A.P. Payment of Salaries and Pension and Removal of Disqualification Act,1953, enhancing the ceiling limit on rent payable on hired accommodation from Rs.15,000 to Rs.30,000 for Ministers and other dignitaries equal to the status of Ministers.

Another amendment Bill providing for salaries, allowances, TA and DA to MLCs was adopted. The House also passed a Bill to regulate the supply, distribution, sale and fixation of sale price of cotton seeds.

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