Demand for anti-conversion law echoes on last day of Bihar Budget Session

Posted on by Vividh Bharathi

Patna, Feb 27 (IANS) The issue of enacting stricter laws against religious conversion resonated in the Bihar Legislative Assembly on the final day of the Budget Session, as several ruling party members raised the matter through a calling attention motion.

Eighteen MLAs from the ruling alliance, including Maithili Thakur, Mithilesh Tiwari, Virendra Kumar, Janak Singh, Sanjay Kumar Singh, Jivesh Kumar, Tar Kishore Prasad and Baidyanath Prasad, spoke on the issue, calling for a law similar to those enacted in other states.

The MLAs stated that states such as Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and Gujarat have implemented laws against religious conversion.

According to them, these laws provide for stringent punishment, including imprisonment ranging from one to 10 or even 20 years in cases involving alleged fraudulent conversion, child marriage, or inducement.

Members also claimed that demographic changes in certain parts of Bihar warranted legislative intervention.

They alleged that religious conversions were being carried out on a large scale and expressed concern over the situation in border districts and the Seemanchal region.

Mithilesh Tiwari, MLA from the Bharatiya Janata Party, said, “Uttar Pradesh has strict laws, and a similar law should be enacted in Bihar. In Buxar alone, 1,000 Dalit families have converted. The demographics of Seemanchal have changed. Therefore, this law is needed; the government should consider it.”

Some MLAs cited figures regarding population growth and the establishment of churches in the state, alleging that conversions were taking place through inducement.

BJP MLA Sanjay Singh termed it not just religious conversion, but national conversion, while another member, Anil Singh, demanded strict legislation to curb the practice.

Certain members also raised questions about reservation benefits following religious conversion and referred to constitutional provisions in their arguments.

Responding to the debate, Tourism and Arts & Culture Minister Arun Shankar Prasad clarified that the Bihar government currently has no proposal to introduce legislation related to religious conversion.

“There is no proposal to enact any legislation related to this at this time,” the minister stated in the House.

When some BJP members continued to press the issue, Assembly Speaker Prem Kumar intervened, stating that the calling attention motion had been admitted and that the government would review the matter if necessary. He ruled that there would be no further discussion on the issue.

–IANS

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Congress forms committees for Puducherry ahead of Assembly polls​

New Delhi, Feb 19 (IANS) The All India Congress Committee has announced the formation of several key committees to gear up for the upcoming assembly elections in Puducherry. ​

In a press release issued by General Secretary KC Venugopal, the party said that the Congress President has approved the constitution of the Pradesh Election Committee, the Election Management and Coordination Committee, the Manifesto Committee, the Campaign Committee, and the Publicity and Media Committee. ​

These bodies are set to take effect immediately, aiming to streamline the party’s strategy in the union territory. Leading the Pradesh Election Committee as Chairman is Ve Vaithilingam, with M Vaithianathan serving as Vice Chairman. Other members include V Narayanasamy, AV Subramanian, Ramesh Parambath, E Valsaraj, PK Devadoss, V Pethaperumal, M Kandasamy, MOHF Shajahan, R Kamalakannan, RKR Anantharaman, MNR Balan, P Karthikeyan, M Ilayaraja, Ratna Ramesh, and Pancha Gandhi. ​

The committee also features ex officio members, including Girish Chodankar, in charge of Puducherry, along with AICC Secretaries TN Prathapan, Suraj MN Hegde, and Nivedith Alva. Additional ex officio participants are N Anandbabu, President of PYC; Rahanathunnisa, President of Mahila Congress; Harshvardhan, President of NSUI; M. Veerapandian, Chief Organiser of State Seva Dal; Jaya Balan, Chairman of SC Department; Kannan, Chairman of OBC Department; and Mohammad Hasan, Chairman of Minority Department. ​

The Election Management and Coordination Committee is chaired by V Narayanasamy, with M Vaithianathan as Vice Chairman.​

Its lineup includes AV Subramanian, PK Devadoss, M Kandasamy, RKR Anantharaman, S Dhanusu, R Kamalakannan, and Pancha Gandhi. ​

This group is tasked with overseeing logistical and operational aspects to ensure smooth election preparations. ​

For the Election Manifesto Committee, RKR Anantharaman takes the helm as Chairman, supported by Vice Chairmen E Rajendran and P Karthikeyan.

The committee comprises MS Maruthupandian, S. Dhanusu, V Sankar, SMA Karunanithi, AJ Abdul Rehman, A Sankar, N Thirumurugan, M Jayabalan, Pancha Gandhi, S Amudharasan, M Vinayagamoorthy, Vijaya Kumari, and PM Saravanan. Permanent invitees include Ve Vaithilingam, M Vaithianathan, N Anandbabu, Rahanathunnisa, M Veerapandian, Harshvardhan, and the AICC In-Charge for Puducherry. ​

The Campaigning Committee is headed by MOHF Shajahan as Chairman and R Kamalakannan as Vice Chairman. Members are MNR Balan, P Karthikeyan, MR Susairaj, M Ranjith, S Sundaravadivel, Rattina Ramesh, MC Shamir Ahamad, Parvatheeshwarar, Vijayakumari, S Amudharasan, M Veerapandian, M Vinayagamoorthy, and SPA Durai. ​

Permanent invitees consist of Ve Vaithilingam, N Anandbabu, Rahanathunnisa, Harshvardhan, and the AICC In-Charge for Puducherry. Finally, the Publicity and Media Committee is chaired by PK Devadoss, with M Vaithianathan, MLA, as Vice Chairman. ​

The team includes Rattina Ramesh, K Ashok Kumar, RE Segar, D Pradish Irudayaraj, AVS Sakthivel Prabhu, Udayakumar, Vinodh Senthilkumaran, B Chitradevi, and N Raja Kumar. This strategic move by the Congress comes at a crucial time as Puducherry prepares for its assembly polls. ​

The union territory, with its unique blend of French colonial heritage and an Indian administrative framework, has seen the party’s political fortunes fluctuate in recent years. ​

By assembling these committees, the Congress aims to consolidate its base, craft a compelling manifesto addressing local issues like economic development, healthcare, and education, and mount an effective campaign against rivals. ​

Analysts suggest this could help the party regain ground lost in previous elections, where alliances and regional dynamics played significant roles. The inclusion of diverse representatives from various departments and youth wings underscores the party’s emphasis on inclusivity and grassroots mobilisation. ​

With experienced leaders like former Chief Minister V Narayanasamy and parliamentarian Ve Vaithilingam at the forefront, the committees are expected to focus on voter outreach, media management, and policy formulation tailored to Puducherry’s needs. ​

As the election date approaches, these bodies will likely play a pivotal role in shaping the party’s narrative and coordinating on-the-ground efforts. ​

–IANS

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‘Enemies of democracy’: NDA leaders slam Cong-RJD’s Voter Adhikar Yatra

New Delhi, Sep 1 (IANS) The ongoing ‘Voter Adhikar Yatra’ sparked sharp political reactions from leaders of the ruling NDA in Bihar, on Monday, with several top ministers accusing the opposition of misleading people, labeling them as “enemies of democracy.”

Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Kumar Sinha launched a scathing attack, branding those participating in the Yatra as anti-democratic.

“They are enemies of democracy,” he said, dismissing the campaign as theatrics without substance.

Echoing similar sentiments, JD-U MP Sanjay Kumar Jha questioned the motives behind the yatra, stating “The people of Bihar know everything. In our Mithila region, there is a saying, ‘Chor baaje zor se,’ meaning the one who is guilty often speaks the most.”

Minister Ashok Choudhary cast doubt on the political impact of the campaign.

“Gathering crowds in roadshows and converting that into votes are two separate matters. As long as Congress remains allied with RJD, Congress has no prospects in Bihar,” he asserted.

Minister Shravan Kumar criticized the opposition’s narrative and defended the Election Commission’s efforts to clean up voter rolls.

“This ‘Voter Adhikar Yatra’ is being carried out under calculated political motives. Their ground has completely eroded… If the Election Commission is removing the names of deceased individuals, what is the objection?” he asked.

RLD leader Malook Nagar went a step further, predicting the collapse of the opposition’s momentum.

“The history of Uttar Pradesh 2017 will be repeated in Bihar. Their momentum will completely collapse. This yatra will mark the final stage of the INDI Alliance,” he claimed.

The Voter Adhikar Yatra, spearheaded by opposition parties under the banner of INDIA Alliance, is aimed at highlighting alleged voter list irregularities and demanding transparency from the Election Commission.

The Yatra is set to conclude in Patna on Sunday, with a symbolic padyatra (foot march) at Gandhi Maidan, drawing in party workers and civil society voices.

While the opposition projects it as a grassroots movement to protect electoral rights, the BJP and its NDA allies have dismissed it as a political gimmick designed to regain lost ground ahead of the 2025 Bihar Assembly polls.

–IANS

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NHRC seeks report from Odisha Chief Secy, DGP over gang-rape incident

Bhubaneswar, June 23 (IANS) The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), on Monday took suo motu cognisance of the recent media reports on gang rape of a 20-year-old college student at Gopalpur beach in Ganjam district and asked the Chief Secretary of Odisha and DGP, Odisha Police to submit detailed reports in this regard.

The concerned officials have been directed to submit the reports within a two weeks period. The Commission has observed that the contents of the media report, if true, raise a serious issue of violation of human rights.

“The NHRC takes suo motu cognisance of the reported gang rape of a female college student on the Gopalpur sea beach of Ganjam District in Odisha. Issues notices to the state Chief Secretary and Director General of Police, calling for a detailed report on the matter within two weeks,” the NHRC wrote on its X handle on Monday.

It further clarified that the report is expected to include the status of the investigation in the case, the victim’s health condition, the compensation and counselling, if any, provided to her.

Earlier, taking suo motu cognisance of the incident, the Chairperson of National Commission for Women (NCW), Vijaya Rahatkar on June 17 directed the DGP of Odisha Police for immediate arrest of all remaining accused, a swift and time-bound investigation, and provision of free medical and psychological support to the victim.

The NCW Chairperson has sought an action taken report on the gangrape case within three days. It is pertinent here to mention that on June 15, the 20-year-old victim studying in a Berhampur college along with her classmate and male friend visited Gopalpur beach and reached an isolated area behind a hotel on the beach in the evening.

A group of 10 youngsters assaulted the couple and overpowered the male friend.

Later, they took the woman to a nearby spot on the beach and three of the accused persons raped the woman while seven others helped them by keeping the male friend and woman under captive.

Based on the complaint filed by the victim, the local police swung into action and arrested all the accused persons including four juveniles carrying out multiple raids within a few hours of the crime.

–IANS

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