Centre moots anti-conversion laws

Facing accusations of pursuing a communal agenda against the backdrop of conversion in Agra, the Centre on Thursday asserted in the Lok Sabha that it is committed to maintain communal harmony and suggested that all States as well as the Centre should have anti-conversion laws.

Replying to a debate on conversions even as several opposition parties staged a walkout, Parliamentary Affairs Minister M Venkaiah Naidu rejected allegations against “mother” organisation RSS and accused the opposition parties of spreading “misinformation” to “tar” the image of the Sangh as well as that of the Modi government.

During the discussion that was taken up after a round of uproar on the second straight day, opposition parties attacked the Centre, the RSS and its affiliates, accusing them of creating communal polarisation and tensions, while citing the case of conversion of some Muslims in Agra.

Hitting back at the Opposition and taking pot-shots at the Congress, which has been “rejected” in the Lok Sabha polls, Venkaiah said “some people are allergic to the word Hindu” and they target RSS and the government over any or other development that may occur in any state, ruled by any party.

On the particular incident of conversion in Agra, he made it clear that the Centre had no role in dealing with it as it was a subject matter of the Uttar Pradesh government and the local administration should take action.

However, if needed, the Centre could issue an advisory to the State government, he said while replying to the unscheduled short duration debate which was taken up on insistence of the opposition parties.

Venkaiah replied in the absence of Home Minister Rajnath Singh, who was campaigning in Jharkhand.

Describing conversions and re-conversions as a “national challenge”, as these create tensions, he said: “Let us introspect. Let there be anti-conversion laws in all States as also at the Centre. Let us all seriously work towards progress.”

In the Rajya Sabha, the issue was raised by Bahujan Samajwadi Party (BSP) supremo Mayawati, who accused the BJP and its ideological mentor, the RSS, of trying to polarise society by organising forcible conversions in Uttar Pradesh. She later demanded a ban on the RSS.

The former UP Chief Minister urged all opposition parties to take the developments in Uttar Pradesh seriously. “The issue of religious conversions is very serious,” she said, accusing the RSS and Bajrang Dal of creating communal tension in the country. “The law and order situation in the country might deteriorate through this. Even if the Centre does not have a hand in this, it is their responsibility to ban the associate organisations,” she added.

Members of the Congress, Left and Trinamool Congress supported her stand in the Upper House. “Action has to be taken by the State government. Law and order is a state issue and the State government has to deal with it. The Centre has no role in that,” Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi said.

CPI(M) leader Sitaram Yechury said the Prime Minister should give a clarification on the issue. “India is a secular democratic republic and it will remain so. If attempts are made to change it, you will not remain, but India will remain,” he said.

SP leader Naresh Agarwal said investigations are on. In the Lok Sabha, SP supremo Mulayam Singh Yadav said: “The situation is serious. If the government does not take it seriously it could have serious consequences.” The House was adjourned twice on the issue after the Opposition trooped into the well, demanding an early discussion.

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