Patna, February 27: In Bihar, there is a rising demand for a stringent law against ‘conversion’ practices. On the last day of the budget session, several members of the ruling party raised this issue in the assembly.
Eighteen lawmakers, including Maithili Thakur, Mithilesh Tiwari, Virendra Kumar, Janak Singh, Sanjay Kumar Singh, Jivesh Kumar, Tar Kishore Prasad, and Baidyanath Prasad, called for legislation similar to that in other states. They emphasized the need for an anti-conversion law in Bihar.
The legislators pointed out that states like Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and Gujarat have implemented laws against religious conversion. These laws prescribe penalties ranging from one to ten years, and in some cases, up to twenty years for fraudulent conversions, child marriages, or inducements leading to conversion.
The ruling party members also claimed that demographic changes in certain areas of Bihar necessitate legal intervention. They expressed concerns about the situation in bordering districts and alleged that large-scale conversions are occurring.
BJP legislator Mithilesh Tiwari stated, “Uttar Pradesh has strict laws, and Bihar should have similar legislation. In Buxar alone, 1,000 Dalit families have converted. Therefore, this anti-conversion law is essential. The government should consider this.”
Some lawmakers cited statistics regarding population growth and the increase in churches in Bihar. They also alleged that conversions are occurring through inducements. A few members questioned the benefits of reservations post-conversion and referenced constitutional provisions in their arguments.
Tourism and Arts & Culture Minister Arun Shankar Prasad responded in the assembly, stating that the Bihar government currently has no proposal to introduce a law related to conversions. The minister remarked, “At this time, there is no proposal to create any law regarding this matter.”
Meanwhile, Assembly Speaker Prem Kumar announced that the attention-drawing proposal has been accepted and that the government will review the matter if necessary. He stated that no further discussion on this issue will take place.
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