Use existing provisions to check forcible conversions: CPI(M)

Accusing BJP-RSS of "indulging in double speak" on the issue of religious conversions, CPI(M) today said there was no need for a separate anti-conversion law as there were already provisions under the IPC to put a check on forcible conversions.
"The BJP and the RSS are indulging in doublespeak by talking about religious conversions. The RSS organisations are conducting a reconversion campaign targeting the minorities," the party said in a statement.
"The polit bureau demands that the RSS-sponsored reconversion campaign be prohibited using the provisions of the law," it added.
The party said that there was no need for such a law as Art 25 of the Constitution provides for "freedom of conscience and free profession, practice and propagation of religions".

"If there is any forcible conversion it is already covered under Indian Penal Code (Section 153(a)) as it classifies forcible attempts in the name of religion as a criminal offence," the party said.
Attacking RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat, the party said that he has justified this reconversion as bringing back people to their original faith and added that the episode of reconversion in Agra has exposed how false assurances and inducements were used for reconversion.

"In fact the RSS campaign for forcible reconversion and the call for a law to ban forcible conversions are both directed against the religious minorities and intended to use the issue of conversion to sharpen communal divisions," the party's politburo said.

CPI(M) had earlier accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of "running away" from debate in Rajya Sabha on religious conversions, saying he has got used to "one-way communication traffic" and not reply to anything.
The issue of religious conversions has stalled the functioning of the Rajya Sabha for a number of days as a united opposition has been demanding a reply from the Prime Minister on the issue.