DNA EXCLUSIVE: Centre eyes anti-conversion law

Following the success with the criminalisation of triple talaq and abrogation of J&K's special status, the Centre is preparing a bill to control religious conversion, DNA has learnt. The government is likely to introduce the bill in the next session of Parliament.

Sources in the BJP said that they have already started preparing for a draft bill and that the government is confident of getting it passed in the Rajya Sabha despite not having sufficient numbers.

Currently, Odisha, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh and Jharkhand have an anti-conversion law but a similar kind of legislation does not exist on the national level.

Many political parties and religious-social organisations, including the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, Jana Sangh and Bharatiya Janata Party have been advocating stringent laws against conversion, said sources.

Conversion is a major problem in India.

There are frequent reports on proselytizers luring the poor with money and other facilities to change their religion. In addition to this, it has been found that some socio-religious organisations run missions for conversion and their purpose is nothing more than increasing the number of followers of their religion. Many a time, forced conversion is also done, said another source. If an anti-conversion bill with the pan-India effect is brought out, it will put an end to malpractice.

Despite not having numbers on its side, the Modi government moved deftly to get the Upper House nod on triple talaq and Article 370. Party sources said its move to against religious conversion will be supported by many opponents.

—Zee Media Newsroom