Karnataka government repeals anti-conversion law, scraps lessons on RSS founder

The Karnataka government, led by the Congress, has decided to repeal the anti-conversion law introduced by the previous Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government. It has also decided to scrap school textbook lessons on VD Savarkar and Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) founder KB Hedgewar, whose speech was added to the syllabus in 2022. Furthermore, reading the preamble will be made mandatory in schools and universities.

Why does this story matter?

The Congress won in Karnataka recently by unseating the BJP. It came to power promising to undo the "misgovernance" of the BJP to "protect the interest of Kannadigas." Textbook revision, anti-conversion law, anti-cow slaughter law, and other policies of the BJP were reportedly on the repeal list. Meanwhile, the BJP has accused the new government of trying to scrap its policies for vendetta politics.

Cabinet approved proposal on Thursday

Karnataka's Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister KH Patil said the state cabinet approved the proposal on Thursday. The anti-conversion law was introduced in Karnataka in May last year through an ordinance and a bill to replace it was introduced later in September.

Will review any bill passed by BJP: Priyank Kharge

To recall, days after the election win, state cabinet minister Priyank Kharge said, "The government stands firm on reviewing any bill passed by the previous...government that affects the image of state, deters investment, does not create employment, is unconstitutional, and violates rights of an individual."

BJP's amendments to APMC to be scrapped

Furthermore, Patil added that the amendments to the Agricultural Produce Marketing Committees (APMC) Act by the previous BJP government will be repealed and the old provisions will be restored with "progressive" additions. Earlier, reports quoted a Karnataka minister's aide as saying that the Congress government was working to "undo the damage done by Sangh Parivar organizations, which have spread hatred among a section of...people."

BJP government retained APMC amendments despite repealing farm laws

Notably, the previous government amended the APMC Act based on the Centre's directive—in line with the three farm laws that triggered a year-and-a-half-long agitation. Although the agitation ended with the Centre repealing the laws before the Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections in 2021, the then BJP-led government refused to scrap the amended act. APMC Minister Shivananda Patil said the amendments caused huge losses to APMCs.