NEWSLINKS US EDITION SOUTH ASIA COLUMNISTS DIARY SPECIALS INTERVIEWS CAPITAL BUZZ REDIFF POLL DEAR REDIFF THE STATES ELECTIONS ARCHIVES US ARCHIVES SEARCH REDIFF
Two bills, one to replace the controversial anti-conversion ordinance and the other seeking to ban the ritual of burying children alive for some time in a place of worship or its precincts, were introduced in the Tamil Nadu assembly on Wednesday.
The entire opposition, except the Bharatiya Janata Party, opposed the Tamil Nadu Prohibition of Forcible Conversion of Religion Bill, seeking to replace the ordinance promulgated on October 5.
A statement appended to the bill said the government had received reports that conversions from one religion to another were being made by use of "force or allurement or by fraudulent means".
Bringing in legislation to prohibit such conversions would act as a deterrent to the "anti-social and vested interest groups exploiting innocent people belonging to the depressed classes", the statement said.
The statement also said those who went against the provisions of the bill would be punished with imprisonment up to three years or fine of Rs 5,000. In case of conversion of a minor, woman or a SC/ST member, the prison term would be four years and the fine may extend to Rs 100,000.
A statement attached to the second bill said, "The government considers that such a ritual and practice cannot be allowed to continue, as it will endanger the life and personal safety of children."
The ritual was witnessed in Peraiyur village in Madurai district on August 21, when 105 children were buried alive and retrieved immediately.
Housing Minister C Durairaj was sacked from the Cabinet on August 29 for participating in the ritual.
The bill proposes imprisonment up to three years or fine for those who indulge in the ritual.
More reports from Tamil Nadu
Back to top
Tell us what you think of this report
