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House adopts `Freedom of Religion Bill'

By Our Special Correspondent

GANDHINAGAR March 26. Amid chaotic scenes and shouting of slogans by the Opposition over the murder of the former Minister of State for Home, Haren Pandya, the Gujarat Assembly today adopted the controversial `Freedom of Religion Bill' by a voice vote without any discussion.

As the Opposition did not participate in the proceedings, the Government rushed through six other Bills, including one on the `Control of Organised Crime' and another to give effect to the Value Added Tax (VAT) system from the next financial year. The seven bills were passed, with some minor amendments to a few of them, in less than 35 minutes before the House adjourned for the day. The House also adopted a motion suspending all the Opposition members for the remaining days of the budget session for their unruly behaviour for breaking the mikes, rushing to the well of the House, throwing paper and paper balls towards the treasury benches and the Speaker and raising slogans against the Chief Minister, Narendra Modi and the ruling party.

Later, the Leader of the opposition, Amarsinh Chaudhary, said he had given notice to the Assembly secretariat for the "removal" of the Speaker, Mangaldas Patel, for his "partisan behaviour". Mr. Patel refused permission to Mr. Chaudhary to raise the issue of Mr. Pandya's murder before the introduction of the official Bills stating that the Opposition had not sought the Chair's prior approval.

With the Opposition not participating in the proceedings, it took just about a few minutes for the Assembly to adopt the `Gujarat Freedom of the Religion Bill' to prevent religious conversions by "force, allurement or any other fraudulent means".

The Bill defines "allurement" as any "gift" or gratification in cash or kind or grant of any material benefit, either monetary or otherwise, and "force" as a show of force or a threat of any injury of any kind, including threat of "divine displeasure or social ex-communication".

Any kind of fraudulent means including "misrepresentation or any other fraudulent contrivance" would attract the provisions of the Bill.

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Stories in this Section

• House adopts `Freedom of Religion Bill'
• A political murder: Cong.
• A 'cowardly killing', says BJP
• Conspiracy must be exposed: Congress
• CPI(M) demands judicial inquiry

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