To regulate religious conversion Assam government to initiate a bill

Guwahati: Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Tuesday condemned the trend of religious conversion in the state and said his government is committed to preserving the culture of tribals.
Sarma said this while addressing a function in Guwahati to distribute an aid of Rs 10 lakh each to 18 organizations working for the preservation and promotion of local and tribal beliefs and culture. 2 crore to the tribals, and Rs.2 crore to the Garchuk-based All Bathou Mahasabha.
“Many indigenous and tribal communities in the Northeast are experiencing religious conversions. This has led to a decline in their traditional beliefs and practices,” Sarma said.
He further said that his government is committed to protect the culture of the tribals and no one should take advantage of it to convert them to another religion by deception.
“Article 25 of the Constitution gives the right to freely practice, profess and propagate the religion of one’s choice, but it does not allow conversion through any form of enticement or inducement,” Sarma said.
He also said that many local beliefs and cultures are disappearing around the world due to religious changes.
“We must ensure that this does not happen in Assam,” Sarma said.

He urged the people of Assam to preserve and promote their rich indigenous culture and traditions.
“Our culture is our identity. We must protect it at all costs,” Sarma said.

The Chief Minister also announced that his government would set up a separate department for preservation and promotion of local and tribal culture.
“We will also introduce a bill to regulate religious conversions in the state assembly,” Sarma said.

He said that the purpose of this bill is to prevent conversion of religion through coercion, fraud or inducement.