Gujarat Government to soon actuate the anti–conversion law

Gujarat ruling party Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), now wants to reconsider and bring back an old anti–conversion law in the state. In 2003, the parliament had approved the law but had not publicized it due to the protests and resistance by the people.

The determination of the BJP to bring back the anti–conversion law is a move that came in as response to the recent decision of Gujarat Governor Nawal Kishore Sharma to reconsider the Freedom of Religion Bill and to go accordingly with the Indian Constitutional laws that recognizes right of all to profess, practice and preach their faith.

According to the law, whoever changes religion will have to first inform the government. The law also blames "foreign powers" for being the strength behind religious conversions.

Amit Shah, Minister of the Interior wants to speed up the incomplete procedures and bring back the law in action within eight to ten days.

Global Council of Indian Christians, an influential advocacy group whose president is Sajan George, told AsiaNews that, "the Gujarat Government must withdraw this draconian freedom of religion act. This Bill –in its original form as it was passed on March 26, 2003 – violates the constitutional rights of citizens and is very divisive in nature."

"Article 25 of the Constitution and Article 18 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, guarantee to every single individual the right to preach, propagate and practice one’s religion and to choose the religion of one’s conscience."

Experts view this as a political move by the Narendra Modi Government to win favor with voters in view of upcoming elections in the state in a few months.