Bangalore Archbishop opposes proposal of anti-conversion bill in Karnataka
Bangalore: Bangalore Archbishop Archdiocese and President of Karnataka Region Catholic Bishops’ Council, Most Rev. Dr. Peter Machado on Monday issued a press statement opposing the government’s proposal to introduce Anti-Conversion Bill.
The statement also rejected the survey ordered by the Backward & Minority Welfare Department which has directed its Administration and the Police Intelligence to conduct a survey of the religious personnel and places of worship, institutions, and establishments only of the Christian Community.
“The entire Christian Community in Karnataka opposes the proposal in one voice and questions the need for such an exercise when sufficient laws and court directives are in place to monitor any aberration of the existing laws. The Indian Constitution Article 25 very clearly says: "All persons are equally entitled to freedom of conscience and the right to freely profess, practice, and propagate religion subject to public order, morality and health." Further, Article 26 says that all denominations can manage their own affairs in matters of religion,” the statement stated.
It said introducing such laws would infringe the rights of the citizens, especially of the minority communities.
“Moreover, the anti-conversion bill would become a tool for the fringe elements to take law into their own hands and vitiate the atmosphere with communal unrest in the otherwise peaceful state. Random and sporadic incidents should not be referred to the entire Christian Community in a bad light,” it added.
The Backward Classes and Minorities Welfare Department of Govt. of Karnataka have issued an order to conduct a survey of both official and non-official Christian missionaries and the Institutions and establishments functioning in the State.
“We fail to understand the compelling need behind such a move. 1lowever. if the Government so desires to have a survey let it do it. But why only the Christian community is targeted and marked for this arbitrary, fallacious and illogical move? When all the relevant data is already available with the Central and State Governments, why do we need yet another futile exercise? What is the motive that is driving them to do so? The Government is in possession of the actual census figures of the community since independence. If the allegations of rampant conversion across the State is true, why then the number has not increased beyond 1.87% as per the last census figures,” it further said.
“Thousands of schools, colleges, and hospitals are run and managed by Christian Community across the State. Lakhs of students are graduating from these institutions year after year. Thousands of patients irrespective of caste, creed, and color receive the best medical attention from our hospitals and care centers, let the Government prove that even one of them has ever been influenced, compelled, or coerced to change his or her religion. Notwithstanding this, if the Government is still bent on introducing the 'Anti-Conversion' Bill, we are afraid it will only fall into the hands of the undesirable elements and the fringe groups who will target the Christian community and attack our churches and institutions. It is sure to vitiate and bring in the communal conflagration and disturb the peace in the society,” it added.
Taking a dig at CM Bommai’s “action and reaction” over the increasing incidents of moral policing in the state, the press release added “This has only extolled and emboldened the fringe elements and self-styled vigilantes. Since then attacks and persecutions have increased in undesirable proportions on the religious minorities in the State. Add to this, another tool of 'Anti-conversion' law will only make all hell break lose. We are witnessing the distressing results of such laws elsewhere in the country”.
“In view of this and many more factors, we passionately appeal to our Hon'ble Chief Minister, through the columns of your esteemed daily, to withdraw the Orders issued by the Backward Class & Minority Welfare Department, and the proposal to introduce 'Anti-Conversion' Bill, and thereby preserve and contribute to the communal peace, tranquility, and brotherhood, which is the hallmark of any progressive State,” it concluded.
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CM Siddaramaiah alleges ‘criminal conspiracy’ in Sringeri recount, vows legal action
Bengaluru (PTI): Alleging a “criminal conspiracy” by BJP candidate D N Jeevaraj in the Sringeri Assembly poll recounting, Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah on Tuesday said the outcome was manipulated after valid postal ballot votes in favour of Congress leader T D Raje Gowda were tampered with during the recounting process.
Following a Karnataka High Court order on an election petition filed by Jeevaraj, challenging Raje Gowda’s election, the reverification and recounting were conducted on Saturday.
After the reverification and recount of postal ballots for the Sringeri Assembly constituency, votes polled in favour of Raje Gowda were reduced by 255, the returning officer said.
A report on the matter has been submitted to the Election Commission of India for further action, the officer added.
Congress leader Raje Gowda had won the 2023 Assembly polls from Sringeri by 201 votes, defeating his nearest rival Jeevaraj.
Addressing a press conference in Bengaluru, Siddaramaiah said the High Court had directed the recounting of postal ballots and that irregularities were noticed during the exercise conducted on May 2.
“This is a clear case of criminal conspiracy,” Siddaramaiah said, alleging that valid votes cast in favour of Raje Gowda were altered after being accepted by counting agents of all parties, including Congress, BJP, and JD(S).
He claimed that during the recounting of postal ballots, 255 votes were initially accepted as valid by all agents but were later tampered with by subordinate officials.
“There is a second mark on the votes polled in favour of Raje Gowda. They had accepted these as valid votes. Subsequently, another mark was made by officials. This is a clear case of criminal conspiracy,” he said.
When asked who was behind the alleged conspiracy, the CM replied, “It was hatched by Jeevaraj and others. It is planned.”
Siddaramaiah further alleged that the returning officer acted improperly by declaring the result despite the presence of an Election Commission observer during the recounting.
“Immediately after the counting, the returning officer announced the result. He should not have done so; this is against the law,” he said.
He pointed out that Raje Gowda had originally won by 201 votes, but after the recounting, the BJP candidate was declared the winner by 52 votes.
“The BJP has committed a criminal act of conspiracy. This is not vote chori but vote dacoity,” he alleged.
The CM said a police complaint had already been filed by Raje Gowda’s election agent, Sudhir Kumar, and emphasised the need for electoral integrity.
“We want transparency and free and fair elections. That is what our Constitution mandates,” he added.
Stating that the government would pursue legal remedies, Siddaramaiah said, “We are preparing an appeal challenging the returning officer’s announcement in a court of law.”
Responding to a separate query on elections in other states, the CM said there appeared to be an anti-incumbency factor in West Bengal, while results in Tamil Nadu were “surprising,” adding that Vijay’s party was emerging as the largest there.
Following the victory of party candidates in Bagalkote and Davanagere South, Siddaramaiah expressed confidence about future electoral prospects in Karnataka.
“Even in 2028, we will win the Assembly elections. We will come back,” the CM said.
Siddaramaiah added that he would order a forensic examination into the alleged tampering of postal ballots.
