Anti–conversion Bill: C’garh Governor seeks Attorney Gen’s advice

Governor's consent to Chhattisgarh's controversial Anti–Conversion Bill has further been delayed with Governor E S L Narasimhan asking for the legal opinion of the Attorney General of India in the matter.

According to official news sources, the Bill has been sent to Attorney General of India Milon Banerjee for clarification on a provision stating if someone is reconverted to the religion followed by his father or grand father, it would not be treated as a conversion case.

The Governor's Secretary P C Dalai neither confirmed nor denied the fact that Narasimhan had sought clarification on certain provisions in Chhattisgarh's Anti–Conversion Bill.

Much to the dismay of the BJP Government, even in the past, the controversial Bill was delayed by Narasimhan's predecessor K M Seth, who noticed strong opposition by the state's minority communities.

Ajay Chandrakar, the Legislative Affairs Minister has also confirmed that the Bill passed by the assembly in mid–2006, is yet to receive Governor's assent. “However, I will not be able to specify the nature of clarification sought by the Governor,” Chandrakar said.

Hindu Rightist organisations accuse Christians for being the cause of increasing conversions of people especially from tribal areas to Christianity and hence apparently steadfast they hanker to see the Bill fully functioning.

According to the Bill, those wishing to change their religion must inform the District Magistrate about it a month in advance. A penalty for those violating the law, including those who convert people forcibly, would range from Rs 50,00 to 100,000 and imprisonment of up to five years.

The Bill according to party sources was requested by BJP President Rajnath Singh, who even urged all state governments, where the party is majority, to bring in a "legislation that would ensure punishing of people involved in forceful conversions."