BJP MP plans to table bill in Parliament

Tribune News Service

Dehradun, September 28

BJP Rajya Sabha MP Tarun Vijay is planning to introduce a private member’s anti-conversion bill in the forthcoming winter session of the Parliament advocating ban on conversion in the country.

The MP believes that the prevailing laws in the country are inadequate to prevent forced conversion in the state. “Unless there are strong provisions in the law, forced conversion will continue to grow. The bill will advocate for a non-bailable warrant to be issued against the person found engaged in the act, along with a ten-year jail,” said Vijay.

Speaking with The Tribune, Tarun Vijay said the recently released religion-based census had indicated a declining trend in Hindu population in the country. “For the first time, the population of Hindus has been reported to be less than 80 per cent. We have to take measures to arrest the decline. It is very important to keep the Hindus in majority in the country and I think a bill of this nature will not only allow the Hindus remain a majority in India but will keep the values of liberalism and pluralism intact,” said Vijay.

He said the party would seek the support of other like-minded MPs in the House for the passage of the bill.

When asked if the enforcement of a national anti-conversion law would render our rights to freedom of conscience and religion valueless, and derail efforts at achieving a peaceful, democratic society, Tarun Vijay said, “No doubt, faith and religion are personal choices, but in India foreign funds are being used to seduce poor and vulnerable sections of our society.”