The Hindu (02/26/06) The Bharatiyaa Janataarty-led Government in Rajasthan is planning to introduce a Bill during the budget session of the Assembly starting February 28 outlawing religious conversions.
The proposed Bill is expected to target Christian missionaries even as some radical organisations have launched a major offensive against Christian organisations across the State.
Final touches
At a press conference here on Saturday Home Minister Gulabh Chanda Kataria said the draft Bill was being given final touches. “We are trying to table it in the Assembly’s Budget session and get it passed into legislation as soon as possible.”
Activists of the Bajrangal, Shiv Sena and other bodies affiliated to the Sangha Parivar have been attacking churches and mission schools, especially in southern Rajasthan for several months now alleging that they were enticing tribals and poor Hindus to convert to Christianity.
Attacks on Christians have intensified after the publication of a book “Haqeeqat (Reality) which allegedly derided Hindu and Jain deities. Miscreants vandalised two mission schools in Jaipur.
Provocative content
Asked about the steps being taken to protect the lives and properties of Christians, Mr. Kataria said the book had hurt the religious sentiments of Hindus with its “objectionable and provocative contents” and had since been banned. Action would be taken against those promoting communal tension, irrespective of their religious persuasion.
Mr. Kataria claimed that incidents of communal tension and violence had declined significantly during the BJP rule. “Against 22 communal incidents reported in 2002, only one incident took place in 2003 and two each in 2004 and 2005.”
