The newly elected state government in Chhattisgarh is likely to bring in legislation or administrative action to stop religious conversion in the state.
In an exclusive interview to News18, deputy chief minister Arun Sao said religious conversion of the tribal population to Christianity by the Missionaries working across the state has been a crucial issue and it should be addressed with proper government measures.
“We have to stop the conversion of tribal population in the state. It is a crucial issue which has to be addressed. We will take whatever measures are possible in the legal framework to stop this,” said Sao, who was the state’s BJP chief for over a year. Noting that stopping religious conversion is one of the priorities of the government, he added that relevant decisions would be taken once the council of ministers is formed and the government holds its second cabinet meeting.
Sao also said the government, in its first cabinet meeting held on December 14, decided to build houses for 18 lakh poor beneficiaries under PM Awas Yojana. “In our first cabinet meeting held last week, we decided to build houses for the poor. In the first phase, houses will be built for 18 lakh beneficiaries under the Prime Minister Awas Yojana,” he added.
The RSS has been demanding an anti-conversion law in the state for long. The RSS and its affiliates demanded a law to stop the conversion, though Raman Singh’s government resisted such a legislation, citing development as the only election plank. The RSS and its affiliates also spearheaded a movement demanding de-listing of tribals who convert to Christianity.
Modi’s Guarantee, Corruption-Free Govt
Sao said the government will implement everything mentioned in the election manifesto that was released as ‘Modi’s Guarantee’. “People will get everything that the party promised before elections. We will execute all programmes and schemes which were mentioned under Modi’s guarantees,” said Sao.
Reacting to the investigation into several corruption cases against former chief minister Bhupesh Baghel and his party members, he said, “We will have a zero tolerance for corruption approach. Cases will be registered for all corruption complaints. People’s money was looted here. There will be restoration of law and order. We will make Chhattisgarh one of the most developed states.”
Sao added that he was ‘grateful’ to the senior leadership for recognising his work and selecting him for the position of the deputy chief minister in the state.
The state has got its first tribal chief minister Vishnu Deo Sai, while Arun Sao represents the OBC community.
Comments
0 comment