Bhopal: Days after Governor Anandiben Patel approved the Madhya Pradesh Freedom of Religion Ordinance, 2020, which makes religious conversion for marriage a non-bailable offence, state’s Home Minister Narottam Mishra said a similar law would be introduced in West Bengal “when” a BJP government comes to power after the assembly elections later this year.
“I have said this that when a BJP government will be formed in West Bengal, I will ask the chief minister to ensure a similar freedom of religion bill is implemented in West Bengal too,” Mishra told ThePrint.
The Madhya Pradesh cabinet gave its nod to the anti-conversion law on 26 December. It has several provisions similar to the ordinance issued by Yogi Adityanath-led Uttar Pradesh government.
Asked why there was a need to bring in a new law through an ordinance, Mishra said: “The new law targets anyone who promotes ‘love jihad’. The earlier law was bailable, while we have made it a non-bailable offence. All those who by luring people, or through force, indulge in religious conversion by any means will be covered under this rule. Not only this, any NGOs who finance them or those who get them married, such as nikaah, have also been covered under the new law.”
He clarified that the law will cover anyone who indulges in such activities, “whichever community they belong to”.
Also read: 16 anti-conversion law cases, key accused Muslims, but UP govt insists law is religion-neutral
Stone-pelting will be non-bailable too
Mishra expressed concern over recent incidents of stone-pelting, and said the MP government was also bringing in a law to make that a non-bailable offence.
Earlier this month, MP CM Shivraj Singh Chouhan said stern action and a law were needed against those who indulge in stone-pelting, after incidents that took place in rallies organised to spread awareness about the upcoming donation drive for the construction of the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya. A number of Hindu Right-wing organisations such as the Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) and Bajrang Dal had claimed that stones were hurled at them during the rallies.
Home Minister Mishra said: “People throw stones from home, which is fatal to society. They burn public property, which is also not good for society. We are making provisions for stricter punishment for them. Once such offenders are identified, we will recover the damages from their property. If someone’s shop is burnt, we will ensure that he is compensated by recovering the damage from those who indulged in such activities.”
However, Muslims in the areas where the violence took place in the western part of the state had also alleged that their places of worship and homes were targeted during the rallies. Members of the community have alleged that the administration is taking one-sided action against them, including demolishing their homes. Asked about this, Mishra said: “If something wrong has happened, the court’s door is open where they can approach. They should go and put their points across.”
Also read: 3 incidents, 1 pattern — what’s behind the violence during Ram Mandir rallies in MP
💩 sanghi 😂 speaking about education
Danga DIDI is so AFRAID of non believers and infidels that she now wants to collaborate with left parties and CONGRASS.
HINDUS believe in education and science and prosperity and will vote for party which will not discriminate against HINDUS and protect their progressive culture from RIOTERS AND PROSELYTIZERS.