Haryana Govt To Unveil Draft Of Anti-Conversion Law Soon, Reveals CM Manohar Lal Khattar

ML Khattar spoke about the state's anti-conversion bill while also attacking Punjab counterpart Captain Amarinder Singh who demanded his apology over Karnal lathi-charge against protesting farmers.

New Delhi: Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar on Monday spoke about tabling the state's anti-conversion bill soon while also launching a tirade against Punjab counterpart Captain Amarinder Singh who demanded that he apologise for allowing police to baton charge protesting farmers in Karnal.

Speaking to media persons about the anti-conversion bill ML Khattar said, "Incidents of (forcible) conversion are being reported from many parts of Haryana. To stop such incidents, we need to make a law... A study has been done. A draft law will be made very soon. We will see whether to introduce it as an ordinance or table it in Assembly", news agency ANI reported.

The Freedom of Religion Bill, also dubbed as the "love jihad" bill, put forth by the BJP-led Haryana government had hit a legal roadblock earlier this year when the state government's law and legislative secretary raised serious objections over the proposed legislation.

The bill could not be tabled in the state assembly session as the law and legislative secretary or legal remembrancer (LR) found the proposed bill to be against the constitutional scheme pertaining to an individual's rights pertaining to religion as well as against provisions of the Special Marriage Act which enables marriages of couples of different religions.

'CM Amarinder Singh Should Resign': ML Khattar

Responding to Punjab CM Capt Amarinder Singh's statement, ML Khattar said: "Who is he (Capt Amarinder Singh) to demand my resignation? Instead, he should resign because he is behind the farmers' agitation. Farmers protesting there (at Delhi borders) are from Punjab. Farmers from Haryana are not protesting at Singhu or Tikri border".

"In Punjab, he (Capt Amarinder Singh) is instigating farmers and in Haryana, (Bhupinder Singh) Hooda saheb and other Congress leaders are instigating them... No one has the right to block roads indefinitely," he added as quoted by ANI.

Talking about the viral video of Karnal SDM Ayush Sinha, he once again defended the official by saying: "The officer's choice of words was wrong. The administration will look into the matter. He shouldn't have spoken those words, but strictness was needed to maintain law and order".

Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar made these comments in a public event organised to celebrate the completion of 2500 days of his government in the state.