Karnataka chief minister Basavaraj Bommai on Monday said his government would enact laws that are good for the people, alluding to the contentious anti-conversion bill that is poised to be tabled before the state legislature.
“The government has to bring in some laws for the benefit of the people,” the BJP chief minister told reporters on being asked about the anti-conversion bill.
“Our priority is to bring in some laws and provide solutions to people’s issues after proper discussion.”
On the Opposition’s objections, Bommai said: “The government is ready to provide answers to whatever questions the Opposition is going to take up.”
He added: “Once the scrutiny committee (of the law department) clears the bill it will come before the cabinet before being tabled in the legislature.”
Bommai has been strongly advocating a law against “forcible” conversions since taking over from B.S. Yediyurappa in July.
Yediyurappa told reporters on Monday that he was “hopeful that the bill will be passed during this session”.
“The government is determined to bring in the law despite opposition from the Congress, as many states have already passed such a law,” he said.
Congress leader P.C. Siddaramaiah has said his party will oppose the bill “tooth and nail” because it is being enacted “to target a particular community”.
Karnataka has witnessed a series of attacks on Christian priests and places of worship in recent months. Hindu rightwing activists on Sunday made a bonfire out of Christian books and pamphlets in Srinivasapura in Kolar district, alleging “illegal conversions” in the area.
A machete-wielding man had chased a Catholic priest in Belgaum on Saturday night, chilling the minority community ahead of Monday’s inauguration of the winter session of the state legislature in that city.
Police said the unidentified man managed to escape after the incident at the home of Father Francis of the St Joseph’s Church.
Belgaum district superintendent of the Methodist Church, Pastor J. Nanda Kumar, told The Telegraph the district unit of the United Christian Forum would meet on Tuesday evening to decide a course of action. Leaders of various Christian denominations have been holding meetings in Bangalore.
“Our community is concerned about the anti-conversion bill and the rising attacks on our people and places of worship. See how a priest was targeted,” Nanda Kumar said.
Bajrang Dal activists had on November 28 stalled prayers at Belur, Hassan district, leading to a confrontation with the laity.
Sangh parivar workers had on November 7 locked up worshippers and the pastor of a prayer hall in Belgaum. Vishwa Hindu Parishad activists had chanted bhajans at a prayer hall in Hubli in October.
