Central intervention sought on Rajasthan bill

New Delhi, May 4 (UNI) A group opposed to the Rajasthan Freedom of Religion Bill 2006 today sought the Centre's intervention to ensure the proposed law does not curtail the fundamental right to preach and profess one's religion or encourage the police to harass minority communities.

A 13-member delegation comprising representatives of the Rajasthan Christian Fellowship, the Jamaat-e-Islami, the Anuvrat Samiti, the People's Union for Civil Liberties, the Buddhist Dharma Samiti and others called on Union Human Resources Development Minister Arjun Singh in this regard here this evening.

The Centre should ask the Governor not to ratify the controvercial bill -- passed last month in the 200-member State Assembly where the BJP enjoys a brute majority -- they told the Minister.

According to Rajasthan PCC General Secretary Jaisingh Rathore, who also was in the delegation, Mr Singh gave them a patient hearing and promised to discuss their concerns with Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje.

Mr Rathore said the proposed law gave sweeping powers to the police and expressed fears that it could open the door to increased harassment of minority communities in the state.

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