From our Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru

Bengaluru, Dec 12: Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai sought to allay the fears over the BJP government’s move to bring the anti-conversion bill during the Belagavi session of the State Legislature, all set to commence from Monday, and assured that the people need not be worried over the issue.

Speaking to the media representatives at Hubballi on Sunday, on the eve of the Belagavi session of the State Legislature, the Chief Minister clarified that Hindu, Christian, Islam and Sikh religions are among the religions recognised under Indian Constitution and there was no problems with regard to their prayers and rituals.

However, there is no scope for conversion by luring people by misusing their conditions of poverty through monetary and other means, the Chief Minister said.

The Chief Minister pointed out that the debate on conversion was not new and has been going on since Independence. Many States have brought in anti-conversion laws and "most of people of Karnataka" want a law based on such laws in the State too.

The State’s Law Department is examining the issue and the subject will be discussed in the State Cabinet after the Law Department completes its study. The matter will come up before the Cabinet when it meets in Belagavi, he said.

"If the Law Department approves the draft legislation, it will be taken up for discussion in the State Legislature," Bommai said.

The Chief Minister went on to assert that conversion was not good and was harmful to society. "The poor, downtrodden and oppressed sections should not fall prey to attempts to convert people by offering money or other attractions. The State Government wants to bring the anti-conversion law in order to protect such helpless people," he said.

Hope for a meaningful debate

The Chief Minister said the State Legislature is meeting at the Suvarna Vidhana Soudha built in Belagavi after a gap of two years and hoped that the session will result in meaningful and fruitful debates on several burning issues before Karnataka.

Bommai said the State Government and the Legislature Secretariat have made elaborate preparations for holding the session in Belagavi. ‘’I wish and hope that the session will lead to meaningful and development oriented debate on the problems facing the State, especially the Northern parts of Karnataka,’’ he added.