‘Crypto-Christians' misusing reserved status will pay: CM
Devendra Fadnavis
warned of strict action against those exploiting their official Hindu and reserved caste status to gain educational, job and poll benefits while secretly practising the Christian faith.
Dubbing them as 'crypto-Christians', he warned that state govt will take legal action besides revoking their caste/validity certificate, reports Somit Sen.
He was replying in the legislative council to a calling attention motion by BJP MLC Amit Gorkhe, who said some 'crypto-Christians' primarily belong to SC/ST, Nomadic and Denotified Tribes, but secretly adopt the Christian faith, observing its customs and traditions, and their true religion is revealed during their funerals.
Fadnavis also hinted at state govt working on an anti-conversion bill in a move that is aimed at strengthening the existing laws.
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BJP MLC Amit Gorkhe said on Thursday that some 'Crypto-Christians' observe Christian customs and traditions in a concealed manner, and their true religion is revealed during funerals. "This practice is particularly prevalent in districts like Nandurbar, Sangli and Ahmednagar. Due to their deceit and dishonesty, truly deserving and marginalised groups are deprived of reservation benefits and govt facilities," the MLC said.
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Fadnavis, in his reply, said Gorkhe had taken up an important issue. "According to a Supreme Court judgment, it is clear that SC category reservation can be availed only by Hindus and possibly religions closely aligned with Hindus like Sikhism and Buddhism, but not by those belonging to other religions. If we come across any violation of the apex court order, the person will face strict punishment and his or her validity/caste certificate will be cancelled," he warned.
The CM further stated, "If somebody has got a govt job using this modus, there will be departmental action apart from the caste certificate being revoked. At the same time, stringent action will be initiated against anyone using this modus to contest elections."
Hinting at the state govt working on an anti-conversion bill, Fadnavis said a committee under the state director general of police has already submitted its report and a decision will soon be taken by govt to add teeth to existing laws.
He, however, added the govt has no intention of banning religious conversions that take place willfully.
Earlier on Monday, minister of state for home Pankaj Bhoyar said that Maharashtra would bring in the anti-conversion bill by the next assembly session towards the year end. He was responding to a calling attention motion by MLC Uma Khapre in connection with a case of alleged religious conversions at an orphanage in the state.
"Any kind of forced conversions will not be allowed in the state. We are having a high-level committee probe the matter and come out with a report in the coming months, and the state will subsequently work on the anti-conversion bill which will be tabled in the next assembly session (winter session)," he said. "If anybody is forced, cheated or offered any kind of enticement for religious conversion, then the law will not permit it," the CM said.
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