SDPI to Gov: Say no to Anti-Conversion bill

NT Correspondent

Mysuru: Over 100 members of Social Democratic Party of India(SDPI) staged a protest against the Anti-conversion bill, and urged the governor not to give his consent to the bill to protect the objectives enshrined in the Constitution. They also shouted slogans against the BJP government near Gandhi square in Mysuru Friday afternoon. Rafath Khan, district president of SDPI, said that, the bill is a violation of Article 25 of the Constitution which provides the right to follow the religion of one’s choice. The bill is based on a communal agenda meant to curtail one’s religious freedom and is intended to create communal disharmony, for the sake of political gain in the next elections, he said. He felt the bill would impact dalits, tribals and the nomadic community who suffer because of casteist discrimination. As per the bill, any relative, friend or known person can lodge a complaint against forceful conversion, but need not prove it. But those who have converted, have to prove they are guilt free. There are many such loopholes in the bill, which might be misused to trouble innocent people, he added.