Cong welcomes PM’s position on conversions

NEW DELHI, JAN 18: The Congress today welcomed Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee's statement yesterday that the Centre was not in favou...

NEW DELHI, JAN 18: The Congress today welcomed Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee’s statement yesterday that the Centre was not in favour of constitutional amendments to prevent religious conversions, adding, that Vajpayee’s stress on a national debate on the issue was contradictory.

It was good that Vajpayee realised that the makers of the Constitution had given enough thought to the issue while framing the relevant articles on this issue, party spokesperson Girija Vyas said. “The entire exercise of the government appears to be aimed at shifting the focus from the deteriorating law and order situation and the worsening economic situation,” Vyas said.

She said it was regrettable that the dangers to the secular fabric of the country and atrocities against the minorities were on the increase. “It is the government’s duty to protect the minorities and maintain law and order. The government should have administrative sensitivity,” she added.

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The Congress also said the Shiv Sena’s attack on the BCCIoffice in Mumbai was a serious development. “It is irresponsible on Maharashtra’s sports minister’s, Pratap Jadhav, part to threaten the Indian cricketers not to play against Pakistan,” she said.

Vyas added that the BJP has been hurting the Hindu religion and spirituality through its utterances and work. Hinduism’s tolerance and character were distinctive features that kept the religion intact for thousands of years, she said. “India was always known for its unity in diversity,” she added.