Gujarat anti-conversion law constitutional aberration: Centre

New Delhi, Sep 28 (UNI) Terming the Gujarat Government's move to amend the Anti-Conversion law as a ''constitutional aberration'', the centre today indicated that it would stall the move.

Highly placed sources in the Home Ministry and Law Ministry said that the state Governor enjoys power to withhold the assent to the controversial amendments regarding conversions in the Gujarat Freedom of Religion Act, 2003 passed by the state assembly recently and send it to President A P J Abdul Kalam for his approval.

''Once the issue is referred to the President and the Home Ministry, the Centre could always stall the bill,'' they said.

Meanwhile, Union Law Minister H R Bhardawaj charged the BJP government of Gujarat of practicing Hindu appeasement and assured the minority communities that the centre would protect their interest.

He said that religion is the personal freedom of all citizens and the government should not try to interfere in their right to profess, practice and change.

The Gujarat assembly passed the controversial amendments on September 19 despite widespread criticism of its various provisions which treats Buddhism and Jainism as sects of Hinduism. Under the amendment Bill, a person need not seek permission in case he/she is converting from one sect to another of the same religion.

What attracted the Opposition ire was an elaboration describing Jainism and Buddhism as denominations of Hinduism, like Shia and Sunnis are of Islam or Catholicism and Protestantism are of Christianity.

The Act makes forcible religious conversion a cognizable offence punishable by law. Punishment for those found guilty can be upto 3 years or Rs 50,000. In case a minor, SC or ST is converted, the period is upto four years and fine is Rs one lakh. It defines allurement, conversion, force, fraudulent means and minor for the purposes of the Act.

Prior permission of District Magistrate is mandatory in case a conversion is planned. The convert also has to submit a prescribed form to the District Magistrate after the conversion ceremony is over.

UNI AJ VD RK1925