Rajasthan Bill more stringent says Bishop Oswald

Last month, the Bharatiya Janata Party, for the second time took the legislative measures to pass the Bill, which checks the religious conversions by force or allurement.

"Compared to the previous bill, this one is more stringent," said Bishop Oswald Lewis of Jaipur, whose diocese is based in the capital of Rajasthan.

On March 25, a delegation met with S.K. Singh, the Governor of the State, to submit a memorandum apprising him of the dangers the members of minority religions might face, said Bishop Lewis.

UCA news quoted the prelate saying the memorandum describes the bill as "an assault on the religious minorities in the state" because it violates "the fundamental rights granted to the citizens under the Indian Constitution."

Besides Bishop Lewis, others in the delegation were Father Raymond Coelho, chairperson of the Rajasthan Christian Fellowship, Muslim representatives and some civil rights activists.

Bishop Lewis said the governor asked the delegates "to make the public aware of the intentions behind such legislation." He then quoted the governor as saying, "Those who are talking about mass conversion are either obsessed with the topic or they are stating untruths. As far as we know, no mainstream churches indulge in such activities."

Rajasthan is the sixth state after Arunachal Pradesh, Chattisgarh, Himachal Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and Orissa to have a Religious Bill passed.