BJP ups ante for ‘tough’ anti-conversion law

Legislature panel seeks report on Christian places of worship

The ruling BJP seems to be preparing ground for a “tough anti-conversion law” over alleged “forced conversions” in the State. The Legislature Committee on the Welfare of Backward Classes and Minorities has asked for a report on churches and missionaries, “both legal and illegal” in the State to check “forced conversion”.

However, the proposed survey by the Minorities Welfare Department has been opposed by the Congress and heads of the Christian community on the ground that it is veiled targeting of the community.

This comes in the wake of a string of at least four instances where activists associated with Hindutva organisations have barged into prayer halls claiming to have unearthed “forced conversion rackets” in Udupi, Bengaluru, and Chickballapur in the last month alone. Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai recently asserted that a “tough anti-conversion law” is on the anvil.