Q/Why did UP choose to bring about an ordinance instead of a bill?
A/ The Vidhan Sabha was not in session. Incidents of unlawful religious conversions were on the rise. There were times when it seemed that these could cause big law and order problems and riots.
Q/What data on conversions informed the government’s decision?
A/ I cannot give exact figures. However, such conversions were often reported in the media and from many districts. Criminal acts were on the rise because of such instances. Hence the need to stop all forcible conversions immediately.
Q/Though the ordinance speaks of all kinds of religious converters, there is fear that it targets certain religions.
A/ There is a Hindi saying—chor ki daadhi mein tinka (a guilty conscience needs no accuser). Those who are fearing this law are the ones who have been mostly responsible for these unlawful conversions. There have been no negative reactions from Christians, Parsis, Sikhs and Jains. We respect all religions and everyone has the right to live according to their faith. But the strictest law was needed to tackle forced conversions.
Q/Like MP, is conversion to Christianity also an issue that the state is worried about?
A/ We cannot specifically name any religions. But now, no one will be able to force conversions through threats, allurement or by deceit.
Q/Does the ordinance not concentrate too much power in the hands of district magistrates?
A/ The DM will conduct a full inquiry into the matter and listen to all sides concerned. A DM is the administrative head of the district so the power to ensure implementation of the law is given to him, even though he might delegate the task further.
Q/What safeguards will ensure that the ordinance is not misused?
A/ If there are any lacunae in the ordinance, we will take stock of them and amend them. In a democracy, people have the right to modify laws. Even the Constitution is open to re-interpretation. For individuals, there is no way that this law will be misused. When the notice is given and duly investigated, trouble makers will be deterred from creating any nuisance. They will not be able to say that the conversion was forced as an afterthought. Through this ordinance, we have provided strong legal protection to those who wish to convert of their own volition.