NEWSLINKS US EDITION SOUTH ASIA COLUMNISTS DIARY SPECIALS INTERVIEWS CAPITAL BUZZ REDIFF POLL DEAR REDIFF THE STATES ELECTIONS ARCHIVES US ARCHIVES SEARCH REDIFF
N Sathiya Moorthy in Chennai
Saying there were enough provisions under the Indian Penal Code to deal with forced religious conversions, the Tamil Nadu Minorities Commission on Tuesday asked the state government to withdraw the ordinance promulgated in this regard.
Talking to reporters after a meeting with Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa, TNMC chairman Annamma Philip said, "The ordinance is also one of our major concerns."
The commission told Jayalalithaa that the ordinance would create a divide between communities.
The chief minister said there was no question of withdrawing the ordinance, as it was not aimed at any particular community, according to Philip.
"On the other hand, it would cover all sections, including fundamentalists, in the majority community," she quoted the chief minister as saying.
She said Jayalalithaa had assured her that the ordinance would not be misused.
Disputing the government's claim of forcible conversions, Philip said, "This is contrary to facts, as the growth of the Christian population has shown a decline in the past."
The commission's vice-president, Kamal Sheriff, said the members were satisfied with the chief minister's clarification.
Goutham Vaid, a member, wanted the government to look into the causes of voluntary conversions, and address them.
Later, Jayalalithaa received representatives from Srirangam's Srimath Andavan ashram. The ashram is the spiritual seat of the Vadakalai sect of Iyengar Brahmins.
They blessed the chief minister for launching the 'temple annadanam programme' and handed over a donation of Rs 250,000 for the scheme.
ALSO SEE: Minorities hold rally Protests in TN against anti-conversion law Jaya defends law banning forcible religious conversions
More reports from Tamil Nadu
Back to top
Tell us what you think of this report
