Conversion issue rocks J'khand Assembly

Ranchi, Mar 12 (UNI) The Jharkhand Assembly was adjourned today after the BJP-led Opposition created pandemonium over the issue of conversion by tribals.

Speaker Alamgir Alam adjourn the House twice before the recess.

Replying to a call attention raised by Chandresh Oraon (BJP), deputy Chief Minister Stephen Marandi said the government could not take any policy decision regarding reservation facility to the tribals as the matter was dealt by the Centre.

Mr Marandi said that according to government norms a converted tribal could also avail the reservation facility adding the ''Sarna'' tribals, who were converted to Christian, were also availing those facilties.

Dissatisfied with the reply, Mr Oraon referring to a Supreme Court verdict, said that reservation facilties would be given to those tribals, who follow their tradition and culture till death.

''Those hao have left their tradition and culture should not be provided reservation'', Mr Oraon said.

The Opposition also alleged that the conversion rate was high in minority educational insititutions, where the children, were being admitted only after conversion.

Administrative Minister Dulal Bhuyian said the BJP was staging ''drama'' as per direction by the Rashtriya Swamsevak Sangh on this particular issue, whereas Inder Singh Namdhari(Ind) said to seek advice from the advocate general.

Reacting to the government's reply the BJP members trooped into the well and shouted anti-government slogans following which the Speaker adjourned the House for ten minutes at about 1040hrs.

As the members reassembled for the second time Chief Minister Madhu Koda said that the Centre could only take up the issue.

But the Opposition sticking to the issue sat on the floor forcing the Speaker to adjourn the House for second time.

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