Opposition leader’s slams ruling BJP party day after Karnataka Legislative Council pass anti-conversion bill clamming the legislation was a “political gimmick” to draw attention from issues like unemployment and inflation. Congress had staged a walkout from legislative council as it passed the protection of Right to Freedom of Religion Bill, 2021 was passed by state legislative assembly in December last year
“To do such a thing is not allowed in the Constitution. Biggest conversion in Karnataka happens in the Lingayat community. This is a political gimmick that the media is also publicising. It is a political strategy of BJP-RSS to humiliate some (segment of the) population and target a particular community. Freedom of religion is a Constitutional right and everyone has it. You cannot stop someone from converting. As a government, you are there to protect the Constitution and give protection to all society of people in society,” NA Hassan, Congress MLA, told media.
Another Congress MLA from Shivajinagar, Rizwan Arshad, also expressed his dismay saying it was a bull brought in to please the RSS. “It is a political bill, brought in to please their Sangh Parivar bosses and to divert attention from 40% commission, joblessness, inflation and price rise and hide their inefficiencies. They are going to target the Christian community and churches. This will empower hooligans who target churches. This is a sadist bill and against natural justice. This bill will empower those who target churches,” Arshad said.
According to the state government, the bill provides for the protection of the right to freedom of religion and prohibition of unlawful conversion from one religion to another by misrepresentation, force, undue influence, coercion, allurement or any fraudulent means.
