Chief Minister Pramod Sawant has indicated that the law department is working on the nuances of an anti-conversion bill and that his government may introduce it in the July Legislative Assembly session. Going by the course of events that unfolded in the past few months, it was obvious that the government was playing to a pattern. Moreover, a single charge against a pastor does not justify, by any measure, claims that Goa is facing forced religious conversions.
To begin with, it is baffling how forceful religious conversion has suddenly become a topic of serious discussion when there was not even a hint in the Sawant 1.0 regime. So, how does this ‘magical’ change happen in a State which is historically known for its religious harmony and peace? Why is there a constant effort to go back into history and attempt to piece together a contrasting narrative? If there is no Hindutva agenda behind this move, why are constant attempts being made to stir up religious sentiments?
There may have been no distinction made by the CM between the majority community and minorities, but attempts to polarise people by showing an over-enthusiasm in history that would appeal to a section of the community, is uncalled for and suggests that there is an agenda. Yes, there are no elections in sight, but moves on the electoral chessboard are always deceitfully made that ordinary citizens fail to decipher. The depth of political agendas is difficult to fathom, and one should be too naive not to understand the underlying meaning.
So, why did this urgency arise that the State government is eyeing an anti-conversion bill now? What has changed? Is it only because the government could not pin down a pastor of a Christian denomination, both legally and otherwise, against the mass following that he has, or is it something else? It is unfair to conclude that there are forced conversions happening merely on the basis of one unconfirmed case? The government has to explain and come up with facts to justify its argument and the urgent need to go for an anti-conversion law.
Goa will be joining eight other States which have “anti-conversion” laws in place, which include Arunachal Pradesh, Odisha, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh, Jharkhand, and Uttarakhand. In joining this club, we would only be sending a message to the rest of India that Goa is in a state of religious restlessness.
It is the prerogative of the government to introduce bills and frame laws, but sensitive laws such as these must have a mandate. There has to be a thorough discussion on the floor of the House. If there is no agenda behind this move, let fair play and democracy prevail. Whatever the motive of this exercise, there is a need for restraint and caution because an anti-conversion law could usher in a new era of hatred and communal divide in an otherwise peaceful Goa.
