Bill against love jihad soon, says Karnataka minister V Sunil Kumar
Belagavi, Dec 13: Even as the BJP government in Karnataka prepares to table the anti-conversion Bill during the ongoing winter session of legislature, state's Energy Minister V Sunil Kumar on Monday said that a law prohibiting 'love jihad' will also be introduced in the days to come.
"Some organisations publicly claim that they don't indulge in religious conversion and it is not their intention, then why are they opposed to anti-conversion law? On one side they say they don't do such things and on the other side they oppose (the bill), they have ambiguity, not us," Kumar said in response to a question.
Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of the winter session of Karnataka legislature that began today in this border district, he said, "We had been stating from the beginning that the BJP government will bring in anti-cow slaughter and anti-conversion law, we are committed to it. I will go a step ahead and say that in the days to come we will bring a law against love jihad."
The government had earlier enacted the anti-cow slaughter law in the state; it is now preparing to table the anti-conversion Bill during the ongoing winter session.
Regarding a law against 'love jihad', the government had earlier this year said that officials have been directed to gather information on an ordinance promulgated in Uttar Pradesh in this regard.
Defending the proposed anti-conversion Bill, the Minister said, religious conversions are taking place in a big way targeting poor and weaker sections, either by force or through inducements, and hence it was considered necessary to bring in a law to stop such activities.
"Let Congress say, as to why they are opposed to it, we are ready to debate and respond," he said, adding that the proposed bill is keeping in mind the entire society and not targeted at any particular religion or community.
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Bihar hooch tragedy toll rises to nine as three more persons die
Motihari (PTI): The toll in the hooch tragedy in Bihar's East Champaran district rose to nine on Sunday after three more people who had consumed spurious liquor died, officials said.
The first death was reported on Thursday, they said.
A total of 15 people have been arrested in connection with the deaths in the Turkauliya and Raghunathpur areas of Motihari, District Magistrate Saurabh Jorwal said.
A case of murder has already been registered on the basis of complaints filed by the family members of the deceased, police said.
Jorwal said one person is still in the hospital and his condition is reported to be critical.
"Seven persons have already been discharged after treatment," he told PTI.
"The bodies of the deceased have been sent for post-mortem examination. The exact cause of the deaths can only be known after the reports arrive," he said.
The SHO of Turkauliya police station has already been suspended on charge of dereliction of duty, and a special investigation team has been constituted to probe the incident, officials said.
The deaths have led to a political slugfest in the state, where the sale and consumption of alcohol has been banned since 2016.
