RAIPUR: The Chhattisgarh state government, led by Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai, may introduce a stringent anti-conversion law in the upcoming budget session of the state assembly.
As per reports, the cabinet sub-committee on January 30 held a detailed discussion over the draft of the proposed legislation, which the government may introduce in the upcoming session.
The meeting was attended by Deputy Chief Minister and Home Minister, Vijay Sharma, Deputy Chief Minister Arun Sao, Finance Minister O.P Choudhary and other senior ministers of the government who emphasised that the proposed legislation is not against any religion but to ensure freedom and security of every religion.
The ministers further stressed that while every religion is free to propagate itself, conversion through coercion, lure or any other unfair means will not be allowed. They added that strict action will be ensured in such matters.
The proposed legislation is being prepared after studying similar laws enacted by other states. The government is mulling over the challenges faced by other such legislations before the courts and ensuring that the provisions of the bill stand strongly before the courts, if challenged.
The sub-committee is likely to hold more meetings to discuss the provisions of the bill further and to ensure that the legislation is constitutionally strong and able to tackle the issue of illegal conversion effectively after which it will be tabled in the house.
Cases of conversion are keep surfacing from separate corners of the state, often sparking protest from locals. Numerous such cases have come to the fore from tribal-dominated pockets in recent years with locals alleging attempts of conversion via lure or inducement. The state government on the other hand has claimed to tackle the issue by introducing a stringent legislation.
