BJP protests Jakhar's stand on anti-conversion bill

Bhopal, Jan 10 (UNI) The Bharatiya Janata Party today protested against Madhya Pradesh Governor Balram Jakhar's stand on referring an anti-conversion bill to the President.

''There was no need to refer the bill as it was only an amendment to an existing legislation,'' BJP Vice-President M Venkaiah Naidu told reporters here.

Accusing the Congress of double standards on legislation to regulate conversion, he pointed out that while the Congress was opposing the bill in Madhya Pradesh, its government in Himachal Pradesh had brought in a similar bill a few days back.

The Madhya Pradesh Freedom of Religion Bill was amended in the last session of the Assembly to regulate conversion and the proposal for legislation was referred to the President recently.

Mr Naidu felt that the Centre should bring in legislation to check militancy, on the lines of the Prevention Of Terrorism Act, as several states were affected by insurgency.

The BJP will launch a four-month campaign from January 16 to generate awareness against the ''anti-people'' policies of the United Progressive Alliance regime. Rallies, a signature drive and 'jail bharo' (courting mass arrest) agitation would be on the campaign's agenda.

UNI