Thursday, May 25, 2006

Anti-conversion law may be amended in Madhya Pradesh

Anti-conversion law may be amended in Madhya Pradesh: Chouhan

Bhopal: Warning of stern action against religious conversions through force or allurement, Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan today said amendment to existing law to check conversion may be considered, if needed.

"A law to check forced religious conversion already exists in the state with adequate provisions, but if required amendments could be considered to make it more effective", Chouhan told PTI here.

Refuting charges of discrimination against any particular community and implementation of "Hindutva agenda" by the BJP government, the Chief Minister said people belonging to all religions and castes are being respected and given complete independence to follow their faiths.

Affirming BJP's commitment to safeguard the interests of all communities and castes and maintain harmony in society, Chouhan said, "at the same time, we do not believe in appeasement of any particular community".

"If we receive any complaint of religious conversion through force, pressure or allurement, strong action will be taken against those indulging in such activities", he said.

Regarding the Centre's proposed move on OBC quota in elite educational institutions, Chouhan said the issue is under close scrutiny of BJP's central leadership.

Asking the UPA government at the Centre to deal with the matter in such a way that social harmony remians intact without giving scope for divisive tendencies, he said the state government is making all efforts to tackle the situation arising out of stir by some junior doctors.

PTI News