The Karnataka state government, led by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah of the Congress party, has made significant decisions to repeal the controversial anti-conversion law enacted by the previous BJP government and revise school textbooks. The move is seen as an attempt to rectify what the Congress government perceives as the wrongs of the previous administration. While the decision to repeal the anti-conversion law has been applauded by some, it has also sparked criticism from the BJP, leading to increased friction between the two parties.
Repeal of Anti-Conversion Law:
The Karnataka Protection of Right to Freedom of Religion Bill, popularly known as the anti-conversion law, was passed by the Basavaraj Bommai-led BJP government in the state last year. The law aimed to criminalize and penalize religious conversions achieved through means such as misrepresentation, force, fraud, allurement, or marriage. Critics argued that the law infringed upon the individual’s freedom of religion and resulted in increased harassment of minority groups by vigilante organizations.
The Siddaramaiah-led Congress government has now approved the repeal of the anti-conversion law, citing the need to rectify the alleged mistakes of the previous administration. The decision has been met with different reactions within the state. Supporters of the repeal argue that it upholds the principles of religious freedom enshrined in Article 25 of the Indian Constitution. However, the BJP has accused the Congress government of creating a safe haven for conversion factories and succumbing to the pressures of the “Conversion Mafia.”
Textbook Changes:
In addition to repealing the anti-conversion law, the Karnataka government has decided to revise school textbooks to reverse the changes made by the previous BJP government. The revisions involve the removal of chapters on figures such as Hedgewar, the founder of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), and Vinayak Damodar Savarkar, as well as content written by Hindu activist and thinker Chakravarthy Sulibele. The Congress government claims that it is simply restoring the previous content and removing alterations made by the BJP.
The revision of textbooks was a promise made by the Congress party in its electoral manifesto, and it has now started the process of reviewing and introducing supplementary books to complete the syllabus for the current academic year. The government has formed a five-member expert committee to oversee the revision process, which aims to implement essential changes to textbooks for classes 6 to 10 while maintaining academic integrity.
Reaction and Criticism:
The decision to repeal the anti-conversion law has received support from some sections of society, including the Church and the Karnataka Region Catholic Bishop’s Council. They view the move as a validation of individuals’ freedom of religion and a step towards upholding the Indian Constitution’s provisions. However, the BJP has strongly criticized the decision, accusing the Congress government of providing a safe haven for conversion activities and yielding to the influence of external forces seeking to alter the country’s demographics.
The political friction between the Congress and BJP has escalated as a result of these developments. The BJP’s concerns over “Love Jihad” and the alleged alteration of the state’s demographic composition further exacerbate the ideological divide between the two parties.
The Karnataka state government’s decision to repeal the anti-conversion law and revise school textbooks reflects the political and ideological tensions between Congress and the BJP. While the Congress government views these actions as necessary to correct the alleged wrongs of its predecessor, the BJP sees them as detrimental to the state’s social fabric and religious harmony. The impact of these decisions will be closely watched as they unfold and potentially influence the educational landscape and religious dynamics in Karnataka.