Confusion on anti-conversion law continues as the law ministry denies receiving any such proposal from MHA

NEW DELHI: There are claims and denials that the MHA had sent a proposal for a national anti-conversion law to the law ministry for vetting and the same has been rejected. The NDA government had strongly broached on the need for such a central law during the winter session of Parliament.

Law Minister Sadananda Gowda told ET "that no such bill or proposal" for a bill to prevent religious conversion by force or inducement had been forwarded to his ministry from MHA or anywhere else. But MHA officials confirmed the law ministry's "opinion" was asked on the possibility of enactment of such a law and the same had even been rejected by the law ministry that said the "matter was a state subject" and hence was constitutionally not possible to bring a national anti-conversion law. An MHA official claimed that Parliamentary Affairs Minister Venkaiah Naidu too was briefed on the matter.

Gowda, however, denied the claim but added he would advise caution on any such bill. "There are several issues which need to be looked into," he said. "This comes under the concurrent list and states are free to legislate on the matter. There are some states where such a law exists," he said. Legal experts say state laws have more to do with preservation of public order and doesn't prevent conversion but legislates on due disclosure to authorities to prevent disruption of public order as a result of 'forced conversion'.

Gowda said due caution was necessary as it dealt with Fundamental Rights enshrined in the Constitution, most specifically Article 25 which dealt with freedom to profess, practice, propagate any religion and even Article 14 which talks of equality before law.