INDIA
conversion as a large number of conversions were talking place, especially in the tribal areas.
Shri Arvind Sawant (Shiv Sena) complained why there was no discussion when the tribal people were converted. He believed the vested interest were criticizing Hindutva [the predominat form of Hindu nationalism in India] in order to gain the votes of a particular community. Shri Mulayam Singh Yadav (SP) observed that polarization was taking place in the name of caste and religion, but it could be stopped provided there was resolve. Everyone should take a pledge not to discriminate in the name of caste or religion or color and a resolution in this regard should be passed to send a positive message to the country. Shri H.D. Devegowda (JD-S) said as the agenda of the government was to take the country forward in all aspects, the division of society and its polarization was not going to help achieve this goal. Shri Konda Vishweshwar Reddy (TRS) was happy that every member was against forced or lured conversions. Shri Mohammad Salim (CPI- M) said Indian Constitution did not permit forced or lured conversion. Although conversion changed the way of worship it did not change the social, economic or cultural status of the converts. Shri M. Raja Mohan Reddy (YSR Congress) was of the view that nothing should be done by coercion or by taking advantage of somebody’s backwardness or poverty. Shri Tariq Anwar (NCP) said the basic structure of the country was being attacked under a well-thought conspiracy. There was a feeling among the people
that political parties were doing politics at the cost of country’s unity and integrity. Shri M. Murali Mohan (TDP) pointed out God did not belong to any religion, caste, group or discrimination and people should not fight in the name of religion. Shri Rajesh Ranjan (RJD) said India would not be able to make progress until people stopped fighting in the name of caste and religion. While Shri Rajendra Agrawal (BJP) emphasized the need to bridge the religious divide, Shri Prem Singh Chandumajra (SAD) pleaded for maintaining harmony in the country. Shri E. T. Mohammad Basheer (IUML) complained that the government was not discouraging communal hate. People should work together to put an end to agenda like forced conversion. Shri Kaushalendra Kumar (JD- U) remarked that harmony among the various castes and religions had been the cornerstone of the Constitution and it was unfortunate to see people fighting in the name of caste and religion. Shri Bhagwant Mann (AAP) appealed not to politicize religion. Shri Asaduddin Owaisi (AIMIM) wanted to know whether creating fear psychosis and causing communal strife would lead to growth and strengthening of India? Shri N.K. Premachandran (RSP) believed conversion in any form, whether conversion or re-conversion, was a crime if it was done with undue influence, coercion or force. For Shri C.N. Jayadevan (CPI) the problem was not which religion or God one believed; the problem was to think that the existence of other religions was going to hamper the growth of one’s own faith. Smt. Ranjeet Ranjan
help the States in maintaining law and order and communal harmony.
Smt. Ranjeet Ranjan
(INC) said it was unfortunate to see two faces of the government – one which showed rosy pictures to the poor and the other when their grassroots workers indulged in conversion. She hoped the youth of the nation would not be misled in the name of religion.
Replying to the debate, Shri M. Venkaiah Naidu said conversion or re-conversion was a national challenge and the entire country had to seriously introspect, look into this issue and come out with some sort of meaningful solution. Development and good governance were the agenda of the government but some people had tried to utilize the opportunity just to accuse the government. Since law and order was a State subject it was for the concerned State to decide on the course of action. While freedom of faith was a fundamental right of every citizen it could not be allowed to become a licence for sustained foreign-funded campaigns of proselytisation. The tribal people, Scheduled Castes and the poor belonging to other communities or classes seemed to be the target of proselytisation. Stating that there should be anti- conversion laws in the States and at the Centre, Shri Naidu said the Centre was ready to
Conference of Presiding Officers of Legislative Bodies in India The two-day 77th Conference of the Presiding Officers of Legislative Bodies in India was inaugurated by the Speaker, Lok Sabha, Smt. Sumitra Mahajan on 31 January 2015, at a solemn function held in the Assembly Hall of the Uttar Pradesh Legislative Assembly in Lucknow. Inaugurating the Conference, the Lok Sabha Speaker and Chairperson of the Conference, Smt. Mahajan said the 94-year old organization provided a platform for exchange of ideas and thoughts. She observed that though India was the largest working democracy in the world the strength of the country was in the strength of the States. The Centre and the States would have to develop and move ahead together to ensure that the federal structure remained firm. There might be different governments, different parties but none of the parties was against development, and politics should not come in the way of development. She further stated that Members expected the Presiding Officers to guide them and help them and it was the responsibility of the Presiding Officers to nurture them to become more effective legislators.
Smt. Mahajan said it was desirable that the proceedings of the House were carried out in an amicable and cooperative manner. Although the rules and regulations were in place and the Presiding Officer enjoyed full powers
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