TN promulgates ordinance banning religious conversions

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TN promulgates ordinance banning religious conversions

Chennai, Oct 6

 

The Tamil Nadu Government has promulgated a tough ordinance banning

religious conversions by using ''fraudulent means'' or ''forcible

allurement.''

 

The Tamil Nadu Prohibition of Forcible Conversion of Religious

Ordinance, issued by Governor P S Ramamohan Rao late last night,

barred forcible conversions and provided for imprisonment and a hefty

fine to those found guilty. All conversions should be reported to

district authorities.

 

''No person shall convert or attempt to convert either directly or

otherwise any person from any religion to another either by use of

force or by allurement or by any fraudulent means...nor shall any

person abet any such conversion,'' the ordinance said.

 

Anyone found violating was liable for imprisonment which might extend

upto three years and a fine which might extend upto Rs 50,000.

 

In cases where the converted persons are women, minors of SCs and

STs, the imprisonment would extend upto four years and the fine to Rs

1 lakh.

 

''Whoever converts from one religion to another by himself or whoever

takes part in conversions as religious priests shall within such

period specified send intimation to the local magistrate,'' the

ordinance said.

 

BJP welcomes TN ordinance on conversion

 

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) today welcomed the Ordinance

promulgated by the Tamil Nadu Government banning religious

conversions using "fradulent means" or "forcible allurement".

 

BJP National Secretary L Ganesan told UNI that the party from Jana

Sangh days had been demanding such a step and appreciated the bold

step taken by the Jayalalithaa Government.

 

He appealed to all political parties in the state to support the

legislation when it comes before the Assembly in the next session and

pass it unanimously.

 

Ganesan admitted that there were inequities in the Hindu society such

as untouchability, discrimination, illiteracy and poverty and said

various Hindu organisations were trying to correct the situation. But

nobody should be able to exploit the Hindu society in the name of

conversion, he asserted.

 

He also welcomed the Supreme Court order that any non-brahmin well

versed and qualified in religious rituals was competent to function

as an ''archaka'' in Hindu temples.

 

 

 

 

 

 

UNI