BJP supports MNF in anti 'Satanic' Bill campaign

Aizawl, Aug 1 (UNI): In tune with its national executive move, the BJP, Mizoram unit, has decided to oppose the 103rd Amendment Bill to the Indian Constitution.

The party believed that the Bill if passed would further divide the country on religion line, BJP president Khawvelthanga said today.

He said the Bill would affect the Mizoram state and divide the minorities as the Congress was making desperate attempt to consolidate its power here. The Congress party was trying to further divide the religious minorities after its poll debacle in the recently concluded elections in Uttar Pradesh where it came a distant fourth, Mr Khawvelthanga pointed out.

Under this Bill if, passed into law, Christians even in Mizoram will not be entitled to minority status in educational or other minority institutions, he pointed out. By passing the buck to the states to define their own minorities, the Congress party was legitimising divisiveness in the country, BJP spokesman and publicity secretary Darshan added.

Chief Minister Zoramthanga, whose legislature party, has abstained from voting in the Presidential elections in protest of the Bill, termed the Bill as "the second Satanic Bill". The proposed religious conversion bill during the Morarji Desai government was referred to as ''Setana (Satanic) Bill'' by Mizo Christians.

UNI