Central government seeks deal on legislation banning religious conversions

Hyderabad: Parliamentary affairs minister M. Venkaiah Naidu said on Sunday that the Centre would be willing to introduce legislation banning religious conversions provided there is consensus among political parties.

“We are not in a hurry to bring in any legislation on conversions unless all parties agree to it,” Mr Naidu told the media here. He said that if people are converting voluntarily, there is no issue. If force is being used then it is for the respective state government to take action and not the Centre.

Only if state governments are unable to take appropriate action should there be a Central law, he said. “Government has offered a law that covers the entire nation, but the Opposition has not responded positively. We are not interested or in a hurry to bring in new legislation until all political parties agree. I don’t know why the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha is making it an issue on a daily basis and obstructing the House,” Mr Naidu said.

The minister said that though the Lok Sabha had been attending to legislative business, it is “sad” that key Bills are stalled in the Rajya Sabha due to the continuous interruptions by the Opposition. He appealed the parties to allow the Upper House to function.