PANAJI
The Congress on Thursday launched a sharp attack on the BJP-led Goa government over its proposed anti-conversion legislation, alleging that the move was aimed at creating communal divisions in the otherwise peaceful State.
Addressing the press conference, Leader of Opposition Yuri Alemao said the Congress would strongly oppose the Bill when it is tabled during the upcoming Assembly session, accusing the government of using the legislation as a “weapon to divide the people”. “This government is bringing many conversion Bills. We have learnt that the government is now planning to introduce an anti-conversion Bill in the coming session. This is a weapon to divide the people. BJP today wants to divide Hindus, Catholics and Muslims. They only know what is called ‘divide and rule’. We will strongly oppose it in the House,” Alemao said.
The State Cabinet on Monday approved the Goa Prohibition of Unlawful Conversions of Religion Bill, 2026, which proposes stringent penalties, including life imprisonment and fines of at least Rs 50,000 and compensation of up to Rs 5 lakh to victims, for unlawful religious conversions. The Bill is expected to be tabled during the monsoon session of the Assembly beginning August 31.
Congress MLA and working president Carlos Alvares Ferreira termed the proposed law an attempt to “whip up communal tension in the peaceful State” and said the party would oppose it in the Assembly.
Ferreira questioned the need for such legislation, claiming that Goa had not recorded any genuine cases of religious conversion. “I am not surprised that this Bill is being introduced because, if you look at the pattern of the government headed by Pramod Sawant, he was categorical each time in trying to claim that conversions were going on in the State,” Ferreira said.
He said that when the government was asked for statistics on religious conversion cases, three cases were cited and of these one was closed by the police while the other two were quashed by the High Court.
“Then what is the necessity of bringing such a law? When we don’t have instances of religious conversion in the State, what is the necessity of bringing such a law?” he questioned.
Congress MP Capt Viriato Fernandes also condemned the proposed legislation, alleging that the BJP had been attempting to create communal divisions in Goa for the past 15 to 20 years.
“Our people have been living with communal harmony for ages. Elections are coming up, so attempts are being made to divide voters and people. This is an ill-conceived Bill and they will not succeed,” Fernandes said, appealing the Chief Minister not to table the Bill.
