Rajasthan govt re-sends anti-conversion bill

Rajan Mahan

Monday, June 12, 2006 (Jaipur):

The Vasundhara Raje government has re-sent the controversial Freedom of Religion bill to the Rajasthan Governor Pratibha Patil.

Last month Governor Patil had refused to sign the bill, which seeks to ban forced conversions.

Returning the bill back to the Rajasthan government, the Governor had asked for the matter to be referred to the President. She felt the bill would affect people’s fundamental right to freedom of religion.

The anti-conversion bill, as its popularly called, has been criticised by both the opposition Congress and Human rights groups for its rather draconian provisions.

The bill makes conversion a non-bailable offence subject to immediate arrest. It also provides for two to five years of imprisonment and a fine up to Rs 50,000 in case of conversions.

Pacifying doubts

Opponents of the bill claim it’s only an attempt to please the RSS, the ideological mentor of the ruling BJP.

But at its first cabinet meeting since the Governor’s refusal on Monday evening, the Vasundhara government decided to re-send the bill back to the governor.

The government claims that its decision is based on the advice of constitutional experts and the Advocate General of Rajasthan.

And after trying to clarify all the doubts raised, the Vasundhara government has asked the Governor to accord her consent for the anti-conversion bill.

All eyes in Rajasthan are now focussed on what decision Pratibha Patil will finally take. She can either accord her assent or refer the bill to President Kalam.

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