Sena bats for strong anti-conversion law

Mumbai, Dec 24: Stating that poverty and lack of education are being used as tools to carry out conversions, the Shiv Sena on Wednesday batted for a strong law to prevent religious conversions.

"The work (of conversion) that Hindu outfits are carrying out openly, is being done by Christian missionaries and Muslim scholars silently," an editorial in Sena mouthpiece 'Saamana' alleged.

"If that wasn't the case, then lakhs of adivasis (tribals) and people from poor backgrounds would not have changed their religion," it added.

"What kind of law allows using poverty and lack of education as a tool to carry out conversions? This is why it is important to welcome a strong anti-conversion law which can stop this from happening," the Sena said.

"A fire erupted when Muslims in Agra were converted but there was not even a spark, when in the same city Hindus were converted to Christianity. Politics in future cannot be played by subduing Hindus," the party asserted.

There have been various instances of poor, sick and hapless women "tricked" into following Christianity, it said.

"Food, clothing and shelter are the basic necessities for everyone, so is health and education. It is the duty of politicians to fulfil these needs of common man.

"Because these needs are not met, the people are being lured with goodies to change their religion. Will the so-called secularists support such people?" the Sena asked.

PTI