Rajasthan governor refuses to sign anti-conversion bill
-29/05/06
Pratibha Patil, gover
Rajasthan governor refuses to sign anti-conversion bill
-29/05/06
Pratibha Patil, governor of the state of Rajasthan, has refused to sign a controversial anti-conversion bill which many fear will exacerbate existing inter-communal tensions and which campaigners say imperils ìIndiaís secular democratic valuesî.
The governorís decision, which follows protests from Christians and human rights protestors, has given hope to religious minorities who fear further discrimination.
Mrs Patil says she believes that certain provisions in the bill directly or indirectly affect a citizen’s fundamental right of free religious expression.
The Rajasthan Freedom of Religion bill, passed on 7 April 2006, prohibits conversions by ëforceí, ëfraudí or ëallurementí. But in practice, sat critics, it would outlaw legitimate expressions of religious or non-religious belief.
In other Indian states with anti-conversion legislation, Christians and other minorities have found themselves the targets of attacks by extreme Hindu nationalists using alleged forced conversions as a pretext.
The governor has returned the bill to the Rajasthan legislature, leaving it with the option of referring the bill to the President under Article 200 of the Constitution. It has also been criticised by the stateís opposition Congress Party.
The bill had attracted widespread condemnation from human rights and religious groups in India and abroad. On 18 May 2006, Pope Benedict XVI called for a firm rejection of ìthe reprehensible attempt to legislate clearly discriminatory restrictions on the fundamental right of religious freedomî.
Dr John Dayal, Secretary General of the All-India Christian Council, and member of the governmentís National Integration Council, has written a letter of thanks to the governor of Rajasthan.
He declares: ìWe thank you for paying heed to the nationwide outcry Ö against the billî, saying that it would ìdivide the people on religious linesî and ìinjure the secular polity of the state and the nation.î
Mervyn Thomas, Chief Executive of the UK-based Christian Solidarity Worldwide, commented: ìWe are delighted to hear that Mrs Pratibha Patil has taken the bold step of refusing to ratify the stateís anti-conversion bill. This is a much-needed boost for religious minorities in Rajasthan and, most importantly, a clear statement of the incompatibility of anti-conversion legislation with Indiaís secular democratic values.î
Adds Thomas: ìWe hope this leads to further challenges to anti-conversion laws in five other states in India.î
[Also on Ekklesia: Indian Christians protest anti-conversion bill in Rajasthan; Secularists join Christians and Muslims to oppose Indian anti-conversion bill; Concern over spate of violence against Christians in India; Donít use aid to proselytize, Christians urged]
Rajasthan governor refuses to sign anti-conversion bill
-29/05/06
Pratibha Patil, governor of the state of Rajasthan, has refused to sign a controversial anti-conversion bill which many fear will exacerbate existing inter-communal tensions and which campaigners say imperils ìIndiaís secular democratic valuesî.
The governorís decision, which follows protests from Christians and human rights protestors, has given hope to religious minorities who fear further discrimination.
Mrs Patil says she believes that certain provisions in the bill directly or indirectly affect a citizen’s fundamental right of free religious expression.
The Rajasthan Freedom of Religion bill, passed on 7 April 2006, prohibits conversions by ëforceí, ëfraudí or ëallurementí. But in practice, sat critics, it would outlaw legitimate expressions of religious or non-religious belief.
In other Indian states with anti-conversion legislation, Christians and other minorities have found themselves the targets of attacks by extreme Hindu nationalists using alleged forced conversions as a pretext.
The governor has returned the bill to the Rajasthan legislature, leaving it with the option of referring the bill to the President under Article 200 of the Constitution. It has also been criticised by the stateís opposition Congress Party.
The bill had attracted widespread condemnation from human rights and religious groups in India and abroad. On 18 May 2006, Pope Benedict XVI called for a firm rejection of ìthe reprehensible attempt to legislate clearly discriminatory restrictions on the fundamental right of religious freedomî.
Dr John Dayal, Secretary General of the All-India Christian Council, and member of the governmentís National Integration Council, has written a letter of thanks to the governor of Rajasthan.
He declares: ìWe thank you for paying heed to the nationwide outcry Ö against the billî, saying that it would ìdivide the people on religious linesî and ìinjure the secular polity of the state and the nation.î
Mervyn Thomas, Chief Executive of the UK-based Christian Solidarity Worldwide, commented: ìWe are delighted to hear that Mrs Pratibha Patil has taken the bold step of refusing to ratify the stateís anti-conversion bill. This is a much-needed boost for religious minorities in Rajasthan and, most importantly, a clear statement of the incompatibility of anti-conversion legislation with Indiaís secular democratic values.î
Adds Thomas: ìWe hope this leads to further challenges to anti-conversion laws in five other states in India.î
[Also on Ekklesia: Indian Christians protest anti-conversion bill in Rajasthan; Secularists join Christians and Muslims to oppose Indian anti-conversion bill; Concern over spate of violence against Christians in India; Donít use aid to proselytize, Christians urged]