Rajasthan Governor Renews Hope for Anti-Conversion Bill Withdrawal

NEW DELHI – The governor of India’s Rajasthan state this week alluded to the possibility that the state’s latest anti-conversion bill might receive treatment similar to that of the previous one, which was returned to the state government in 2006 by the then-Governor Pratibha Patil.

Last week, the Rajasthan State Assembly passed the strict Rajasthan Religious Freedom Bill 2008 in spite of resistance from religious leaders and the opposition Congress.

"We have to respect all religions equally and strive for the uplift of society,” Gov. Shailendra Kumar Singh told a gathering of believers at the All Saints Church during an Easter celebration. “Unity in society and harmony could be brought only through our good behavior and not by bills and legislation."

”Faith brings mutual confidence,” the former career diplomat added. “All the religions should be respected equally. This only can create an atmosphere of love and brotherhood.”

Quoting from the Bhagvad Gita, Singh said the Hindu deity Krishna, while helping prince Arjun in the battlefront, had said that in society all are equal and real "dharma" is to carry out one's responsibilities.

Collin C. Theodore, bishop of the Church of North India (CNI), said the governor’s statement “came as a reassurance.”

“It was so kind on his part to participate in two celebrations of Resurrection,” said the bishop, whose church body manages the All Saints Church.

”We hope the governor means what he said. We have high hopes on him,” Theodore added.

Prior to the All Saints Church function, Singh attended the midnight Easter vigil service at the St. Xavier’s Catholic Church on Saturday, according to the Raj Bhawan, or Governor’s House.

The church, which identifies Singh as a ”commoner,” thanked him for his gesture and also prayed for the government officials, chief minister and the members of Cabinet for "enabling them to do their duties well."

The latest anti-conversion bill, which passed by the Rajasthan government on Friday, was proposed to curb unlawful conversion from one religion to another by allurement or by fraudulent means.

Christian leaders in the state, however, feel that the bill will be misused to torture and imprison Christian missionaries on fabricated charges. Cases related to this have been reported in the past. Offenders of the latest bill would be punished up to five years, including fines of 50,000 Indian rupees (US$1,200).

According to Raj Bhawan sources this week, the bill had yet to reach the governor.

The earlier Rajasthan Dharma Swatantraya Bill, which was passed by the House in 2006, was returned by then-Governor Pratibha Patil.

Patil had returned the bill to the state government asking to get it cleared from the then-President A.P.J Abdul Kalam.

The bill is now awaiting the approval of current Indian President Prathiba Patil.