Karnataka Minority Leaders Urge Government to Cancel Anti-Conversion Law

Religious minority leaders and civil society groups in Bengaluru are asking the Karnataka government to cancel the Karnataka Protection of Right to Freedom of Religion Act, 2022. They held a press conference on October 30 to demand the repeal of this law along with stronger rules to stop hate speech and hate crimes.

Community Concerns

Leaders stated that the anti-conversion law treats their daily faith and religious identity like a crime. Archbishop of Bengaluru Peter Machado and Karnataka Rajya Muslim Okkoota Convener Mohammed Yahya Damudi said the law goes against the freedom of conscience and religious practice guaranteed under Article 25 of the Constitution. They added that the law creates too many restrictions and intrusive checks.

Policy Demands

The leaders also want the government to scrap several other laws brought in by the previous BJP administration. These include the Karnataka Prevention of Slaughter and Preservation of Cattle Act, 2020, the Karnataka Land Reforms (Amendment) Act, 2020, the Labor Codes, and the removal of Category 2B reservation for Muslims from March 2023.

Context

Anti-conversion laws and debates over religious freedoms are common legal topics across several states in India. Minority community groups frequently raise concerns about how these laws affect their daily lives and constitutional rights.