Think about anti-conversion bill with open mind: Karnataka home minister

MANGALURU: Home minister Araga Jnanendra said politicians need to think about the Karnataka Right to Freedom of Religion Bill, 2021, commonly referred to as the anti-conversion bill, with an open mind.
“The bill was passed in the assembly and now we need to think about it with an open mind. Our nation’s religious and cultural frameworks teach us to love all religions. However, such a ‘tree of love’ is under attack by the termites in the form of conversion. This needs to be checked to maintain harmony. In 1947, the nation was divided on the basis of religion, not secularism. Each village will be divided in future if politicians do not think about it (the Bill),” the home minister told reporters, on arriving at the Mangaluru International Airport on Saturday.
The minister was on his way to attend a cooperative bank’s programme in Puttur and visit Madhur Sri Madanantheshwara-Siddhivinayaka Temple in Kasaragod.
“Only the BJP could abrogate Article 370 in Kashmir and the Congress could not do it since they believe in vote bank politics. How can those who depend on the vote bank of a community do this? We cannot do anything when politicians are worried only about power and their prosperity, instead of thinking about the future of the nation,” the minister said.
To a query on communal clashes reported in Uppinangady in Puttur taluk recently, the minister said “Our police have brought the situation under control effectively. They waited patiently without reacting till they were attacked. They did not want a clash with civilians. Our police know how to tackle miscreants who take law into their hands,” he said justifying the lathi charge incident.
On Maoist leaders from the state surrendering and the relevance of an Anti-Naxal Force, the minister said, “We cannot stop the anti-naxal activities suddenly. We will have to wait till the number of Maoists in the state reaches zero. Many Maoist leaders have surrendered, and they are in the mainstream of the society now.”