DIMAPUR, APRIL 9 (MExN): Responding to the controversial bill to ban forced conversions ironically called the freedom of religion bill passed on April 7 by the Rajasthan Legislative Assembly, Chief Minister of Nagaland Neiphiu Rio has termed the bill as a direct assault on the secular character of India, deserved to be condemned in the strongest terms by all those who value secularism.
Rio in a letter addressed today to President A.P.J Abdul Kalam stated that he was ‘deeply disturbed’ by the passing of the Rajasthan Freedom of Religion Bill and expressed the view that the bill was a complete misnomer, “because its main objective appears to be not to secure freedom of religion for the people, but to take away their fundamental right to freedom of speech and expression, freedom to profess, practice and propagate religion by their choice, as guaranteed by the Constitution of India”.
The Nagaland Chief Minister in his letter further pointed out that the bill was mainly targeted at Christian Missionaries, who are doing commendable social services to the Dalits and other poorer sections of the society.
“In fact, there is no question of Christian Missionaries converting people to Christianity through force, allurement or fraudulent means”, Rio clarified in his letter to Kalam and stated that no such instances have been heard of and “if there be any, it can be dealt with under the existing provisions of the Indian Penal Code”.
Rio expressed apprehension that the Rajasthan bill will be used for harassing the Christian Missionaries and requested Kalam to intervene in order to see that the basic ideal of secularism enshrined in the constitution is not negated or diluted in any manner.
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