Patna: The state govt has no proposal under consideration to frame a law against religious conversions in the state, minister in charge of home Arun Shankar Prasad told the legislative assembly during Question Hour on the last day of the budget session on Friday.Several BJP MLAs, including Virendra Kumar, Jibesh Kumar and Mithilesh Tiwari, among others, raised the issue during a calling attention motion and demanded strict legislation against religious conversions. They cited laws on the issue similar to those in Madhya Pradesh and Himachal Pradesh.“Due to religious conversions, there has been an abnormal increase in the population of Muslims and Christians in many areas, including the border districts of Bihar,” Virendra said.While Jibesh cited Article 25 of the Constitution to support his demand for a law against conversions, Mithilesh said cases of love jihad are prevalent throughout Bihar.MLA Virendra pointed out that anti-conversion laws have been implemented in 11 states. He said there has been an unusual increase in the Muslim and Christian population in Bihar. “More than 5,000 churches have been established in the state. The national growth rate for Christians is 15.52%, while in Bihar it is 143.23%. Similarly, there has been an unprecedented increase in the Muslim population,” he said. Jibesh said the Constitution does not allow change of caste or religion.Overhead electricity wires: MLAs cutting across party lines also raised the issue of overhead electricity wires passing near or over many houses in the state. Raghvendra Pratap Singh said the govt asks residents to pay a fee for supervision, but many poor people do not have sufficient money to do so and therefore run the risk of electrocution.Speaker Prem Kumar asked energy minister Bijendra Prasad Yadav to look into the matter. He also said a meeting would be convened after Holi to address the problem.SDRF to be expanded to subdivision level: The state govt plans to expand the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) to the subdivision level to provide assistance in emergency situations, minister Vijay Kumar Choudhary said. He said the SDRF headquarters has been established in Bihta and that cadres are receiving training at national and international levels.Plea to exempt meat sellers from licence: AIMIM state chief Akhtarul Iman demanded exemption from licence requirements for fish, chicken and meat sellers and asked the govt to stop attacking the livelihood of the poor. He said those selling small quantities of meat or fish cannot afford the licence fee.
