03-24-2006, 04:11 AM
<!--emo&
--><img src='style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/sad.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='sad.gif' /><!--endemo--> Anti-conversion law haunts Jayalalithaa
- Sam Daniel
Thursday, March 23, 2006 (Chennai):
Although the Anti Conversion Law was repealed in Tamil Nadu two years back, the controversial act is becoming a major election issue in the state.
The minorities claim that the law has not yet been totally repealed and that they could still be targeted.
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalithaa had repealed the law through an ordinance in May 2004 after the AIADMK suffered a major defeat in the Lok Sabha polls.
Minorities say repealing the controversial law through the state assembly only would bring them a permanent reprieve.
"It has not been totally withdrawn by the government. It is still in operation and any time they can make use of this against minorities with regard to conversion," said Rev Fr Peter Fernando, Federation of Minorities.
DMK gains
The Federation of Minorities, which has a voter population of over 60 lakhs in Tamil Nadu, has decided to support the DMK led coalition in the elections.
They hope that their demand for reservation for minorities and concession for dalit converts would be pushed by this alliance.
Jayalalithaa's ordinance to repeal the anti conversion law seems to be backfiring as winning over the minorities may be a huge challenge.
On the other hand, it would be a windfall for the Opposition waiting for an emotional issue in the absence of perceptible anti incumbency wave.
--><img src='style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/sad.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='sad.gif' /><!--endemo--> Anti-conversion law haunts Jayalalithaa- Sam Daniel
Thursday, March 23, 2006 (Chennai):
Although the Anti Conversion Law was repealed in Tamil Nadu two years back, the controversial act is becoming a major election issue in the state.
The minorities claim that the law has not yet been totally repealed and that they could still be targeted.
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalithaa had repealed the law through an ordinance in May 2004 after the AIADMK suffered a major defeat in the Lok Sabha polls.
Minorities say repealing the controversial law through the state assembly only would bring them a permanent reprieve.
"It has not been totally withdrawn by the government. It is still in operation and any time they can make use of this against minorities with regard to conversion," said Rev Fr Peter Fernando, Federation of Minorities.
DMK gains
The Federation of Minorities, which has a voter population of over 60 lakhs in Tamil Nadu, has decided to support the DMK led coalition in the elections.
They hope that their demand for reservation for minorities and concession for dalit converts would be pushed by this alliance.
Jayalalithaa's ordinance to repeal the anti conversion law seems to be backfiring as winning over the minorities may be a huge challenge.
On the other hand, it would be a windfall for the Opposition waiting for an emotional issue in the absence of perceptible anti incumbency wave.