BJP defends right to legislate conversion laws

New Delhi, May 20 (UNI) The Bharatiya Janata Party today defended the passing of anti-conversion laws in states where it was in power, and said it was perfectly consitutional to draft such legislation.

BJP spokesman Prakash Javadekar said the freedom of religion did not mean the right to convert a person through coercion.

A citizen was free to convert on his convictions and of his own volition, but not through money and muscle power, he said without referring to the statements of Pope Benedict XVI.

The Pope had, on Friday, condemned attempts to ban religious conversions in India and told New Delhi's new ambassador to the Vatican that such efforts in some states were unconstitutional and should be rejected.

Mr Javadekar said India was a secular country and the people enjoyed more freedom to practice their faith and the laws were more liberal than in many countries in Europe.

Asked about Rajasthan Governor returning the anti-conversion Bill passed by the state assembly, the BJP spokesman said the government would deal with the situation.

About the political developments in Nepal, Mr Javadekar said the party favoured constitutional monarchy with a democratic Parliament.

However, Nepal, as a nation, was free to choose its own destiny, he added.

UNI MCN LR DS1409