Thursday, May 25, 2006

Chhattisgarh govt. proposes stringent punishment for conversion

RAIPUR, MAY 24 (PTI)

The BJP government in Chhattisgarh is considering to make anti-conversion law more stringent with provisions for 10 years imprisonment and a fine of Rs 10 lakh for any one involved in illegal conversion.

"There are certain shortcomings in the existing Chhattisgarh Dharma Swatantrya Adhiniyam 1968 and we wanted to change that," Home Minister Ram Vichar Netam told PTI here today.

"We wanted to change that and yesterday only I had a discussion with the Law Secretary on the issue," he said.

The BJP government is determined to stop any conversion in the state, which are taking place either by force or by allurement, he said.

Meanwhile, speaking about the draft proposal on the issue, official sources told PTI that amendment was being considered to check any conversion by force, allurement or by any fraudulent means.

"There is provision of minimum imprisonment of seven years which may be extended upto ten years and also with a fine of Rs one lakh, which may be extended upto Rs 10 lakh, if any one is found guilty under the proposed amendment," the sources said.

"The draft is under consideration with the Home Department and even it was taken once to the cabinet for discussion," the sources said.

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