Conversions violate freedom of religion: Eduardo Faleiro

PANAJI: Senior Congress leader Eduardo Faleiro has said conversions should be stopped in the country as such activities violate the freedom of religion.

"Conversions and recoversions are not compatible with the freedom of religion, conscience and thought of others," Faleiro told reporters at Congress House here yesterday.

Such activities would only promote religious intolerance and animosity, and are likely to be misused by executive authorities, the former Union Minister of State for External Affairs said.

He demanded that religious heads in the country should enter into an agreement and formulate a code of conduct to stop proselytism.

The government should pay specific attention to the development of vulnerable groups such as tribals, other weaker sections and those who suffer discrimination on different grounds, he said.

"It (government) should counter social exclusion in particular, by providing adequate access to all citizens in education, health and employment," Faleiro added.