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This is an archive article published on January 7, 2015

Existing laws enough to take care of forceful conversions: Paswan

Paswan said he merely means that existing laws are enough.

Taking a different stand from the BJP and the government, key NDA ally and Union minister Ram Vilas Paswan has said existing laws and constitutional provisions are enough to take care of the problem of allegedly forceful religious conversions.

“Existing laws on this are sufficient. This is the view of Lok Janashakti Party,” Paswan said when asked to spell out his stand on the issue on which the government and the BJP has said they were in favour of bringing in a new law against such practices. When pointed out that his views are different from that of the government, Paswan said the government would not bring a new law on this without a consensus. “As long as there is no consensus, the government will not bring it (anti-conversion law),” he told reporters.

Later, Paswan told The Indian Express that there is nothing wrong with religious conversion if it happens as per constitutional norms. “Take the example of Babasaheb Ambedkar, who had converted to Buddhism. Since it was as per the law, no one had a problem. But yes, if there is force, there are provisions in both the Constitution and the IPC to counter that. These provisions are sufficient,” he said. Asked if he means that a new law on this is not needed, Paswan said he merely means that existing laws are enough.

When asked about the government’s as well as the BJP’s “offer” to the Opposition about the introduction of a new law on this subject, Paswan said the Opposition is dithering in the face of the offer. “All that is being pointed out is that if they (Opposition) are so against forceful conversions, why should they be scared of a new law?” he said.

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