DK sounds bugle against Anti-conversion bill

NT Correspondent

Bengaluru: KPCC President D.K Shivakumar has opposed the state government’s plans to introduce a private member’s Anti-Conversion Bill in the coming joint session of the Legislature which would be held at Belagavi from December 13- 23.

“The Congress will oppose the bill tooth and nail. The Christian community is already scared over the government’s intention. We are not going to allow the government to pass it”, he said at a hurriedly-called press conference on Thursday. Shivakumar said the Christian community has made significant contributions in the fields of education and health. A lot of people have studied in schools run by Christian missionaries. The poor and downtrodden have received good healthcare in Christian-run hospitals. In these circumstances, it is not right on the part of the BJP government to target one community, he said adding that Archbishop Peter Machado had already expressed his grave concern over the government’s move to hurt their sentiments by passing the bill in the State Legislature.

The Congress will stand by the Christian community and not allow the government to pass the bill, he added.

It may be mentioned here that Home Minister Araga Jnanendra had hinted that BJP MLC Tulasi Muniraju Gowda may move a private member’s anti-conversion bill during the Belagavi session. Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai had assured the Christian community that the bill was aimed only at conversions happening by offering money to the poor and downtrodden, and not targeted at the Christian community.