Tensions simmered in Patna’s assembly hall as ruling coalition members, 18 strong, spotlighted the scourge of unauthorized religious conversions on Friday. Led by figures such as Jivesh Kumar and Baidyanath Prasad, they urged swift enactment of a law akin to those shielding citizens in Madhya Pradesh and Uttarakhand.
Detailed allegations emerged: border districts witnessing mass shifts, with Buxar as a hotspot where lures of financial gain and reservation quotas allegedly swayed 1,000 Dalit families. Lawmakers decried the rise in churches and skewed demographics, demanding penalties from one to twenty years for conversions via deception or pressure.
‘We need UP-style firmness,’ declared Mithilesh Tiwari, emphasizing constitutional imperatives to protect the marginalized. The motion highlighted how such activities erode cultural heritage and social harmony. Responding, Minister Arun Shankar Prasad revealed no immediate plans, while Speaker Prem Kumar greenlit the notice for review sans open floor debate.
This concerted push by NDA legislators marks a pivotal moment, reflecting nationwide trends toward regulating conversions amid debates on faith, freedom, and fairness.