Christian association gives memo to MP governor

Members of Madhya Pradesh Christian Association met governor Ramnaresh Yadav and submitted a memorandum demanding not to give his assent to the ‘The Madhya Pradesh Freedom of Religion (amendment) Bill, 2013’.

Members of Madhya Pradesh Christian Association met governor Ramnaresh Yadav and submitted a memorandum demanding not to give his assent to the ‘The Madhya Pradesh Freedom of Religion (amendment) Bill, 2013’.

HT Image

Indira Iyengar, chairperson of the association, said the bill intends to create a climate of religious disharmony in the state.

“This law will extinguish freedom of religion, expression and association for the state.

It violates the fundamental right to freedom of religion under the provisions of Article 25 of the constitution,” Iyengar said.

Akshay Yakub, president of the association, said the bill violates international covenant on civil and political rights.

SB Francis, secretary of the association, said if the bill is enacted, it shall be a weapon against the exercise of freewill and religious freedom of all citizens of the state.

There is also a possibility of it being abused by lower officials to harass and persecute minority religious groups or to settle petty personal disputes, he added.