Raipur: Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai on Thursday, December 25 said that conversion through lure is wrong and should be opposed. The CM noted that while Bharat is a secular country and wilful conversion to any other religion is not prohibited, conversion through means of inducement and coercing should be opposed.
“Conversion is not good. Our country is secular and there is no issue if anyone wilfully embraces any other religion but conversion by taking advantage of anyone’s poverty, illiteracy, lure or by misleading someone is absolutely unfair and should be opposed,” said CM Vishnu Deo Sai.
CM Sai’s remark comes amidst recent tension in state’s Kanker district over dispute related to burial of a converted man that led to clashes between villagers and the members of the Christian community. This was followed by a state-wide Bandh called on December 24 by Sarv Samaj against conversion and rising dispute over observation of tribal customary practices .
Earlier on Wednesday, state’s deputy Chief Minister Vijay Sharma also stated about taking strict action against those carrying out conversion through unfair means. The deputy CM also hinted about introducing a new anti-conversion law in the state to tackle the issue of illegal conversion.
Interacting with media persons, Sharma said that the ‘Dharma Swatantrya Adhiniyam, 1968’ (Freedom of Religion Act) is already being implemented on conversion related matters in the state but it needed necessary amendments as per time, the process of introducing these amendments has been completed and the new draft is ready.
Sharma added that after implementation of the new law, the process of conversion will become transparent and clear and strict action will be taken against those carrying out conversion by lure, forces or any other unfair means. He noted that the objective of the government is to stop the misuse of law while strictly acting on conversion related matter and maintaining harmony in the society.
Sharma stressed that the government will take steps for implementing the new law to establish firm control over conversion related matter soon.
Row erupts over burial of converted woman in Dhamtari
Meanwhile, a fresh row erupted over burial of a 70-year-old lady in Dhamtari’s Borai village on Thursday. The dispute broke out after a group of people tried to dug out a grave near a crematorium in Nagri which sparked opposition from a section of villagers. The deceased woman had reportedly embraced Christianity a few months back.
A large number of locals gathered near the spot and raised objection over the burial prompting officials from police and administration to intervene. The authorities upon reaching the spot tried finding an amicable solution by interacting with both the groups, though no consciousness was reached till late evening.
Dispute over burial of converted tribals and alleged conversion attempts have led to serious scuffles in state’s tribal-dominated Bastar division and other areas on numerous occasions, raising concern over rising tension on conversion related matters and tribal’s customary practices.
