Bengaluru: KPCC president BK Hariprasad Thursday said the Karnataka govt would restore the anti-conversion law to its pre-2022 form, signalling Congress’s intent to fulfil its poll promise of rolling back the amendments made by the previous BJP govt.His statement assumes significance as the state govt is yet to make any public announcement on the issue.Responding to Dalit and minority groups accusing the Congress govt of reneging on its promise to withdraw the amended law, Hariprasad said: “We will fulfil the commitment made by the party. We will bring back the pre-2022 anti-conversion law.”He said Congress was not founded on caste or religion. “Congress represents entire India and we listen to all views,” he said.Asked whether he was describing the BJP as communal, Hariprasad said the party as a whole could not be termed communal, though some of its members were. “Unlike BJP, we do not peddle lies or engage in communalism. It is they who harbour religious hatred,” he alleged.The Karnataka Protection of Right to Freedom of Religion Act has faced opposition from minority groups since its introduction. Archbishop of Bangalore Peter Machado and several forums have sought its repeal. In the latest appeal, the Archdiocese of Bangalore and Karnataka Rajya Muslim Okkoota convenor Mohammad Yahya Damudi issued a joint statement on Oct 30, demanding that the law be revoked.The VHP, however, opposed the demand and urged chief minister DK Shivakumar not to withdraw the legislation.On Thursday, a section of Muslim and Christian community members staged a demonstration at Freedom Park, demanding repeal of the anti-conversion and anti-cattle slaughter laws. They argued that the former infringed on religious freedom, while the latter affected their right to livelihood.Led by Machado under the banner ‘Voice of Minorities and the Oppressed Sections of Karnataka’, the protesters submitted a memorandum to the CM’s office, reminding the govt of Congress party’s 2023 assembly election promise to withdraw the laws introduced by the previous BJP govt, protect minority rights and restore social justice measures.“More than three years have elapsed since the present govt assumed office. Yet, several important commitments remain unfulfilled, including repeal of the Freedom of Religion Act, restoration of 2B reservation for Muslims, effective action against hate speech and crimes, and repeal of the cattle slaughter legislation,” the memorandum said.Points for gfxMINORITY PUSH FOR REPEAL* Muslims, Christians protest at Freedom Park, seeking repeal of anti-conversion and anti-cattle slaughter law* Protesters cite Congress’s 2023 election promise to withdraw the laws and restore minority rights* VHP urges CM Shivakumar not to withdraw the anti-conversion law* State govt yet to publicly announce its decision to repeal the law
