Karnataka Government Going Ahead With Anti-Conversion Bill: Here's What Senior Ministers And BJP Leaders Said About It This Week

Even as Karnataka prepares to move the bill against religious conversion in the state, BJP’s national general secretary has reiterated that the problem can't be solved by legislation alone.

As reported, Santhosh speaking on the current situation of Hindu Dharma at the Udupi Krishna Mutt grounds has said the state will soon see a legislation prohibiting religious conversions, as assured by CM Basavaraj Bommai. But a law alone can't fix the issue.

“People at all levels of society should be aware of such a law as well as about religious conversions. We are losing our girl children to love jihad. And the rise in such cases of love jihad and religious conversions should be taken as an alarm bell,” he said, as quoted.

And the real danger is from neo-converts, said Santosh. “Among converts, the first generation ones are more dangerous than the second or third generation ones. And if we have neo-converters around us, it means danger is at our doorstep,” he added, asking people to be more watchful of some converts in their vicinity.

Meanwhile the government which is contemplating introduction of the bill in this ongoing winter session, has postponed it to next week. As per media reports, CM Bommai has called for a cabinet meeting on Monday to discuss gaining assent for the same after which the bill will be introduced in the House.

A similar meeting had been held yesterday, where Bommai was said to have been briefed by senior cabinet colleagues including the Home Minister Araga Jnanendra who later said the bill was almost in the final stages and that they would introduce it as early as possible.

Opposition parties have opposed the bill, saying such a law would create law and order issues in the state. KPCC president D K Shivakumar has said it would also effect investments coming to the state. JD(S) leader and former CM HD Kumaraswamy too has reportedly said his party is opposed to the bill. The JD(S) opposition gains significance as the ruling party would need its support in the 75 member upper house where the BJP is short of majority.

As reported by India Today, Home minister Araga Jnanendra said that the proposed law would mandate informing the deputy commissioner of the intent to convert to a different religion two months in advance, and that those who convert will lose any benefits attached to previous religion.

“The anti-conversion law that we are bringing is not aimed at targeting any particular community. We are bringing it within the framework of law. It is there in Article 25 of the Constitution that there cannot be forced conversion, but there is no penal clause if such conversion takes place,” he said, as reported.