Karnataka: Anti-conversion bill gets state cabinet nod

BELAGAVI: Ending months of speculation, the Karnataka cabinet on Monday approved the controversial anti-conversion bill that seeks to hand out stringent punishment, including imprisonment and hefty fines, to those indulging in religious conversions through allurement or force.
With this, the stage is set for the introduction of Karnataka Protection of Rights to Freedom of Religion Bill, 2021, in the assembly on Tuesday or Wednesday and later in the council. The bill is expected to get an easy approval of the assembly as the ruling BJP enjoys a majority in the house. However, the party, with 32 members, faces a tough challenge in the 75-member upper house.

Former CMs Siddaramaiah and HD Kumaraswamy have declared their opposition to the proposal, saying they wouldn’t allow passage of the bill.
Will oppose conversion bill: JD(S)
Despite numbers stacked up against them, BJP is confident the bill will pass the council test too. Their confidence stems from the hope that JD(S) will come to its rescue by walking out of the house during the passage of the bill.
However, some JD(S) leaders said they will oppose the bill and vote against it if a division is sought. Sources said the party, which is banking on the votes of minorities in the next assembly elections, is apprehensive that helping the bill to pass directly or indirectly would adversely affect it. If JD(S) sticks to its stand, then it becomes difficult for the ruling party to get the bill passed in the ongoing winter session. Such a development may force the government to table the bill in the next session when the party’s strength will go up to 37 as the newly elected 25 members from local bodies constituencies take oath on January
5. Independent member Lakhan Jarkihoil is expected to come to the government's rescue then.
Before the cabinet meeting, chief minister Basavaraj Bommai said his government will not allow religious conversion of “helpless people” in the state. At an event organised by Vishwa Hindu Parishad, he said: “Innocent people are being converted. They are lured by money and financial assistance. Hindus were often invaded leading to largescale religious conversions from time to time. There is religious invasion too.”