State News And Discussion - 3

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<b>'Jainism, Buddhism are not Hinduism's denominations'</b><!--QuoteBegin-->QUOTE<!--QuoteEBegin-->STRIKING OUT: Governor has returned the Freedom of Religion (Amendment) Bill, 2006; it was passed by the state Assembly during the monsoon session in September last year
FINDING it not in conformity with the concept of freedom of religion as embodied in Article 25 (1) of the Constitution, Governor Nawal Kishore Sharma has returned the Gujarat Freedom of Religion (Amendment) Bill, 2006. The Bill was passed by the state Assembly during the monsoon session in September last year.

The governor has held that Jainism and Buddhism are recognised as religions rather than denominations of Hinduism, something that the Amendment Bill sought to convey.

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And they said...
Amit Shah Minister of State (Home)
"We will respond only after examining the Honourable Governor's response. The department would get the reasons for return legally and administratively examined before deciding on the next step."

Arjun Modhwadia Congress Leader of Opposition
"It's a vindication of our stand and proves malafides of this government. The Amendment was aimed at stroking confrontation in society and the Governor has upheld constitutional provisions by returning it."

<b>Cedric Prakash </b>Human rights activist
"We have protested against both the original Act and the amendment. It was draconian, anti-constitutional, and went against the freedom guaranteed both by our Constitution and the universal declaration of human rights. State should not have anything do with the individual's right to believe or even not believe, and that has been our stand."
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