Chitradurga : While the BJP government in Karnataka continues allegations of a rise in forced religious conversions, an official survey carried out in one of the districts that have been subject to these allegations raises questions on the validity of the claim.
Thippeswamy, a Tahasildar who surveyed illegal forced conversions in two villages of Hosadurga Taluk in Chitradurga district has now been transferred.
The survey revealed that no forced conversions have been made and people of the villages voluntarily attend the prayer meets. The officer conducted survey
has been transferred and no post has been allotted to him at the moment. “I conducted the survey after several allegations of forced conversions in two villages. But when I enquired with the people, they said they were not lured with any benefits and converted out of their own will,” the Tahasildar said.
Dismissing the survey, Prakash, the official spokesperson of the BJP in Karnataka, has said that the party continues to stand by the allegations of forced conversions by the Christian community.
The survey was ordered by the Tahasildar after Hosadurga MLA Gulihatti Chandrashekar made an allegation on the floor of the house that nearly 20,000 people in his constituency had converted to Christianity. He claimed his mother was one of them.
Tahasildar is a part of the government. In his report, he made it very clear that there are no forcible conversions. Hosadurga MLA Gulihatti Chandrashekar was saying that his mother was forcibly converted. He has to explain why his mother has converted to Christianity. He owes an explanation. “We may have to draw an inference that there is a political motivation. We will oppose this (anti-conversion) bill in the assembly,” said V.S. Ugrappa, Congress’ state spokesperson.
Despite the survey showing no forced conversions in the two villages, and with no proper documentation to back the claims made by the Karnataka government, the BJP is due to place the anti-conversion bill for discussion in the assembly.
hotly debated proposed anti-conversion Bill that the state government plans to introduce in the assembly is expected to have penal provisions, and it may also insist that those who wish to convert to another faith file an application before the Deputy Commissioner two months prior.
People willing to convert to other religions are likely to lose the religion of their origin and facilities or benefits attached with it, including reservations. However, one is likely to receive the benefits entitled to in the religion he or she converts to. Congress has opposed the bill, calling it “unconstitutional” and detrimental to the state’s interests.
