BELAGAVI
Archbishop of Bangalore Peter Machado on Monday appealed to Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai to drop the proposal to introduce an Anti-Conversion Bill in Karnataka.
He was addressing media persons at a news conference in the Archbishop’s House at Bengaluru in the presence of former union minister Margaret Alva, former minister K J George, former MLA J R Lobo, Fr Faustine Lobo and others.
Archbishop Machado strongly opposed the Basavaraj Bommai-led BJP government’s move to promulgate an anti-conversion bill in Karnataka and also the State Backward Classes and Minorities Welfare Department’s order to conduct a survey of both official and non-official Christian missionaries, institutions and establishments functioning in Karnataka.
“Christians in Karnataka oppose the proposal in one voice, questioning the need for such an exercise while sufficient laws and court directives are in place to monitor any aberration of the existing laws,” he said.
He expressed displeasure with authorities for directing police intelligence to conduct a survey of the religious personnel and places of worship, institutions and establishments only of the Christian community.
“The Anti-Conversion Bill will become a tool for the fringe elements to take law into their own hands and vitiate the atmosphere with communal unrest in Karnataka, which is a peaceful state,” Archbishop Machado lamented.
“If allegations of rampant conversion across the State are true, why then the number has not increased beyond 1.87% as per the last census figures,” he asked.
He also challenged the Karnataka government to prove if even a single student among the lakhs who are studying in Christian schools are converted.
“We passionately appeal to our Chief Minister to withdraw the orders issued and the proposal to introduce ‘Anti-Conversion’ Bill and thereby preserve the communal peace, tranquility and brotherhood,” said Archbishop Machado.
