Rajnath favours anti-conversion law

Questioning the rationale behind religious conversions and minorities’ opposition to the anti-conversion law, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Monday said any attempt to change the country’s demographic profile and character should not be allowed.

Speaking at a conference of state minority commissions, two days after Parliament went into customary recess during the Budget Session, Singh asked whether social service could be performed without resorting to conversion.

His comments came amid a controversy over the “ghar wapsi” programme by Hindutva groups and comments made by RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat about Mother Teresa.
“There are rumours and controversies about ‘ghar wapsi’ and conversions. Why should there by any conversion at all? Is conversion necessary? Can social service not be performed without resorting to conversion? Can no religion prosper without encouraging conversion?” he said.

In countries all over the world except India, Singh said, the minorities ask for anti-conversion law. “Is it not true that the minorities demand anti-conversion law all over the world but not in India? Here, we are only saying that there should be an anti-conversion law. There should be debate over it. We must think of bringing an anti-conversion law,” he said. “While preaching our respective religion, can’t we live with brotherhood? Why do we have to engage in conversion? What is the need? Conversion cannot be anyone’s goal. Let all people preach respective religion and live peacefully. Many people may not agree with what I am saying. You may have a different opinion and I respect that,” he said.

Touching upon the fear of change in demographic character, Singh said the basic character of the country should not be allowed to change. “Will any country allow changes in its demographic character? If we go to the US and try to hurt the identity of that country, will they accept it? Why do we want to change their identity? There should not be any such attempt. How can a country like India allow changes in its demographic profile and character? Let India’s character remain the same,” he said.

Singh also said the patriotism of minorities could not be questioned and there is no reason for any religion to prove its supremacy over others. He also asked state governments to take strongest possible action for the protection of minorities. “India is the only country with 72 sects of Islam.....Even one of the oldest churches of the world is in the state of Kerala,” he said.

“Feeling of insecurity by minorities is a great challenge and the government is committed to ensure that a sense of security is provided to the minorities. I will do everything for the protection of minority. I will go to any extent for this. I say this in the name of god,” he said.

On the recent attacks on churches, he asked states to ensure that such incidents do not occur again anywhere against any religion in the country.