Govt tabled anti conversion bill in the Assembly, Congress opposes
Belagavi: Ruckus prevailed in the Legislative Assembly on Tuesday when Speaker Vishveshwara Hegde Kageri has allowed to introduce controversial the Karnataka Right to Freedom of Religious Bill, 2021, 'without bringing into the notice of opposition. Congress has condemned the act of the Speaker and state government, staged a walkout.
Soon after House assembled after the lunch break, the Speaker has called the Home Minister Araga Jnanendra to introduce the Karnataka Right to Freedom of Religious Bill, 2021, the Speaker has with no time permitted the government to introduce the bill with voice votes before the Home Minister reading out the objectives of the bill.
Opposition leader Siddaramaiah objected to the Speaker decision of allowing the government to introduce the bill without bringing it to the notice of the members. Mr. Siddaramaiah termed that government decision is a violation of the fundamental rights of the citizen. Congress is opposing the introduction of the controversial bill in the House, he said.
Speaker has defended his decision, stated that the bill was in supplementary agenda, the House has given permission to introduce the bill with voice votes, there is no hidden intention in allowing the government to introduce the bill, the members have aware of the supplementary agenda and there is no truth in opposition allegation, he defended.
My responsibility is to implement the government business in the House after informing the same of the members. In fact, the bill was served to the members well in advance, the bill will be taken up for discussion on Wednesday, the opposition members have enough time to discuss the bill.
The government has minified intention, it has kept opposition in dark and maintained secrete while introducing the bill, why can't you introduce the bill with courage, there is no need to introduce the bill by maintaining secrete", Mr. Siddaramaiah criticized.
Former Chief Minister B.S.Yediyurappa intervened, requested the opposition members to discuss the bill tomorrow, he said.
KPCC President D.K.Shivakumar has torn the bill copy, alleged that the government has misled the house, without bringing into the notice of the members, it has introduced the bill, he alleged.
Home Minister Araga Jnanendra defended his decision stated that there is no hidden agenda from the government in introducing the bill in the House. Government has very much firm in its decision to prevent forcible conversion, he said.
Speaker has said that members have the liberty to discuss the bill tomorrow. In fact, I have informed the whip of Opposition about the submission of the bill in the House and asked him to inform the opposition leader. Congress is unnecessary opposing the same, members have enough time to oppose or support the bill after reading it, he said.
However, Opposition leader Siddaramaiah stated that the introduction of the bill itself was wrong, before introducing the bill in the House, members permission must be needed. "We don't agree with the kind of procedure, how can the chair has allowed the government to introduce the important bill without bringing into the notice of the opposition", Mr. Siddaramaiah questioned.
Congress members have shouted against the government, stated that the bill was anti-people. The opposition leader said that Article 25 of the Constitution will not be allowed to bring such a controversial bill, moreover, identical bills brought by BJP governments in UP and Gujarath were challenged before the Courts.
The Speaker has called the Revenue Minister R. Ashok to give a reply to the discussion on floods under rule 69. However, Congress has opposed the Speaker ruling on giving permission to introduce the bill and walk out.