By TwoCircles.net staff reporter
Ahmedabad : Prashant, a centre for human rights, justice and peace, has sharply reacted to the Government of Gujarat’s decision to withdraw
the controversial Freedom of Religion Amendment Bill 2006 after Governor Nawal Kishor Sharma returned it to the Assembly for reconsideration.
"In typical fashion, the Government of Gujarat has indulged in another smoke screen act by proclaiming that it has withdrawn the Gujarat Freedom of Religion Amendment Bill, 2006," Director of
the centre Fr. Cedric Prakash said in a statement here Monday.
Thanking the Governor for refusing to give his assent to this Amendment, Fr. Prakash said, "The fact that such a Bill could have been considered is indicative of the Government’s unconstitutional behaviour and its insensitivity to the religions of India. The Government had no choice but to announce its withdrawal."
On the fact that the original Gujarat Freedom of Religion Act 2003 still remains, he said, "Almost five years after its promulgation, the Government has not been able to cite a single instance of ‘forced conversion’ in the State. Moreover, it has not yet framed the bye-laws / rules which are necessary for the implementation of this Act."
He added that this draconian law characterises the Government’s total disregard for Article 25 of the Constitution and Article 18 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
"If this Government is serious about protecting and respecting the rights of its citizens, it should withdraw the Act of 2003 in its entirety immediately," he demanded.