Governor's move on Conversion Bill unreasonable: Kalraj Mishra

Jaipur, May 20 (UNI) Bharatiya Janata Party's senior leader Kalraj Mishra has termed Governor Pratibha Patil's returning the Anti-Conversion Bill for reconsideration as 'unreasonable.' Mr Mishra, who's also the incharge of party affairs in Rajasthan is here on a two-day visit, told UNI, ''The Anti-Conversion Bill was passed by the House after much debate and deliberations. In such cases, the Bill generally gets the approval of the Governor. But I think it is quite unreasonable on the part of the Governor of not giving her approval in this particular case.'' He said the Bill has no weaknesses, it is only trying to stop conversions by force or allurement.

Responding to Pope Benedict XVI's remarks flaying attempts to ban religious conversions, Mr Mishra said this is clear intervention in a country's internal matters. He said,''India is a democracy and no foreigner has any right to intervene in any Anti-Conversion Bill being brought by a state goverment.'' It is to be noted that Governor Patil had returned the Bill to the state government for its reconsideration and had even advised sending the Bill to the President APJ Abdul Kalam for approval. The Governor feels, implementing the Bill is likely to affect the right to freedom of religion and has quoted the objections raised by the Opposition and minority groups.

The BJP government is expected to send back the Bill to the Governor for approval after its Cabinet meeting today.

Meanwhile, the Opposition has welcomed the Governor's move.

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