Cong, CPI join hands against religion bill

Bhopal, Aug 3 (UNI) The Congress and CPI in Madhya Pradesh have joined hands against the state government's Freedom of Religion (Amendment) Bill, 2006.

While Leader of the Opposition in the state Assembly Jamuna Devi wrote to President A P J Abdul Kalam on August 1 requesting his intervention to prevent passage of the proposal for legislation, the CPI urged Governor Balram Jakhar to return the bill to the House.

''(I) request you to direct the honourable governor... to return the bill... The bill dishonours Article 25 of the Constitution, which gives citizens... freedom to preach and practice the religion of their choice,'' wrote Ms Devi. Copies of the missive were released to the press today.

Alleging that the provisions would encourage the RSS, VHP and Bajrang Dal, she added that Dal volunteers recently assaulted Christians in Madhya Pradesh in the name of conversion.

''Provisons... clearly demonstrate prejudice against Christian missionaries (who) are serving tribal communities in remote areas,'' the Congress leader said.

Meanwhile, a two-day meeting of the CPI state council -- which concluded here yesterday -- passed a proposal that the bill amounted to an assault on an individual's freedom of religion.

In the presence of party General Secretary A B Bardhan, state Secretary Mahendra Vajpeyi presented a political review report. A report was also presented on agitational programmes against the rise in petro products' prices, inflation and corruption.

''Due to the Centre's policies, the country's food security has been endangered alongwith failure of the PDS. The UPA regime failed to check the hike in prices of food products and other consumer durables besides digressing from the CMP in the economy and external affairs' spheres,'' said Mr Bardhan.

Alleging that closeness to the US affected the traditional friendly relations with Iran, he added the Government did not intervene to ensure minimum support price to farmers.

UNI Team-AC PA HT1840