Amid strong opposition from several quarters to the Karnataka government's move on repealing the contentious anti-conversion law, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Friday warned that they will hold massive protests across the state if the decision is not withdrawn.
Senior BJP leader and former Minister R Ashoka said the Siddaramaiah-led government has become the "brand ambassador for religious conversion" and is pushing the southern state back into the “Tipu Sultan era” for the sake of vote bank and appeasement politics.
READ | Siddaramaiah-led Karnataka government withdraws anti-conversion law
"After Congress came to power in Karnataka, it appears that the foundation has been laid for the beginning of Tipu era once again in Karnataka. Congress has decided to become the brand ambassador for religious conversion. There may be slight changes in figures, but according to my information over 30 to 40 lakh Hindus (in the state) have been converted by force or using allurements like money, as a victim of Love Jihad, and for the sake of treatment in hospitals, among others," R Ashoka said.
"For whose sake are you bringing in the new bill? The law that we had enacted was against forceful conversion or with allurements. We had said conversions can only be in accordance with law. Mahatma Gandhi and Ambedkar were against religious conversion," he added.
{{/usCountry}}"For whose sake are you bringing in the new bill? The law that we had enacted was against forceful conversion or with allurements. We had said conversions can only be in accordance with law. Mahatma Gandhi and Ambedkar were against religious conversion," he added.
{{/usCountry}}READ | VHP against amending the anti-conversion bill
“The Archbishop has welcomed your move, but not even a single Hindu Swamiji or priest has hailed the decision. Congress' move is in accordance with Tipu Sultan's ideology. BJP demands that the anti conversion law should not be withdrawn and in the days to come the party will hold massive protests across the state and inform people that Congress for the sake of vote bank and appeasement politics is supporting religious conversion,” he further stated.
“Congress can stoop to any level for votes, it feels that they want to make Karnataka a mini Pakistan,” he also said.
The Congress government decided to repeal the controversial anti-conversion law passed during the previous BJP regime after the cabinet meeting held on Thursday.
(With PTI inputs)