The Hindu : Long-awaited ordinance: Andavan Ashram

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Saturday, Oct 12, 2002

Southern States

Southern States - Tamil Nadu

Long-awaited ordinance: Andavan Ashram

By Our Special Correspondent

CHENNAI OCT. 11. Welcoming the Tamil Nadu Government's ordinance prohibiting forcible conversions, the Srimad Andavan Ashram head, Rangaramanuja Mahadesikan, today said the ordinance was long-awaited by religious heads and the Chief Minister fulfilled the wishes of several people.

Speaking to presspersons here, he said the Government should ensure that the ordinance was implemented effectively. Hinduism did not support religious conversions, but some persons were `converting' people within the religion. He wanted to know whether the ordinance would look into it. It was for the Government to find out who were behind conversions, he added.

On minority organisations' apprehensions, the ashram chief said there was no room for fear. "They (minorities) might have their own reasons for fearing it, is it not," he asked. He hailed the revival of `Annadhaanam' in temples and asked the Government to revive the scheme of setting up `cow protection centres' in temples.

The people should extend their cooperation for the effective implementation of the schemes. Instead of remaining mute spectators, they should bring to the notice of the authorities irregularities, if any, in implementation.

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