Karnataka’s anti-conversion law has sparked protests by Christian groups.
Bengali language:
From burning religious books by the Christian community to breaking into churches and assaulting their members, a series of attacks targeting religious minorities in Karnataka have been reported since the bill’s introduction. Anti-conversion became a hot topic of discussion in the cabinet in September this year. But when asked by NDTV if the ruling BJP had data or evidence to back up its claims about illegal conversions on the rise in the state, the party had little to answer.
Despite increased attacks on Christians and protests against the anti-conversion bill raised by the community, the Karnataka government is still pushing ahead with its plans, justifying that Illegal conversions are on the rise.
But when NDTV asked a senior BJP executive if there was any hard evidence to back up these claims, he said that “Data is unnecessary” and that “all” conversions are valid. is illegal.
“Data is not needed because it is self-evident. This was very evident when the Catholic population increased from 0.5% to 3%. All conversions as far as BJP are concerned are concerned. is illegal. It’s all illegal,” said BJP’s Vaman Acharya.
When NDTV asked about the figures for his claim that the Catholic population had grown from 0.5% to 3%, he insisted it was from the 2011 Census, which is the census. final population available. However, according to 2011 census data, Karnataka’s Christian population was 1.87% – down from the 2001 census, which was 1.91%.
Dr Giridhar Upadhayay, the official spokesman for the BJP in the state, was equally dubious when asked to provide evidence.
“The government has ordered an investigation into registered and unregistered churches, and illegal churches. Because many houses have been converted into prayer rooms, where people are attracted to, and fear comes into their mind … and all that. things are happening,” he said.
The opposition argues that the intense focus on illegal conversions is a political gimmick.
“For the sake of politics, the government is making anti-conversion legislation. If the problem is serious, let them make the law in parliament. This only happens in the states, just to politicize the issue. Attacks on minority communities are on the rise,” said Parliament Speaker DK Shivakumar.
While Minister Basavaraj Bommai said the anti-conversion bill would be discussed during the winter session of Parliament, sporadic protests broke out in Bengaluru. A day after the human chain protests against the bill, the people’s association for civil liberties on Tuesday released a report documenting nearly 39 incidents of hate crimes by Hindutva groups .
At least seven attacks against Christians took place after September by Hindu vigilantes who have spoken out against forced conversion.
“This piece of legislation they’re trying to put in place is completely unconstitutional. It will infiltrate your home and tell you which God you believe in, what faith you practice, how to pray, this is privacy. mine, not government business,” said Maitreyi Krishnan, a lawyer.
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