In the Bihar Legislative Assembly’s final day of the Budget Session, ruling party members discussed the need for tougher laws against religious conversion. Eighteen MLAs from the ruling alliance, including Maithili Thakur and Mithilesh Tiwari, emphasized the necessity for laws similar to those in other states like Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh. These laws entail strict penalties, including imprisonment up to 20 years for cases involving alleged fraudulent conversion or inducement.
The MLAs highlighted concerns about demographic changes in parts of Bihar, particularly in border districts and the Seemanchal region, due to alleged large-scale religious conversions. Mithilesh Tiwari, a BJP MLA, pointed out instances of conversions in Buxar and emphasized the urgency of enacting a similar law in Bihar. Some members raised issues about population growth, church establishments, and reservation benefits post-conversion.
During the debate, Tourism and Arts & Culture Minister Arun Shankar Prasad clarified that the Bihar government currently has no plans to introduce legislation on religious conversion. Despite some BJP members pressing for action, Assembly Speaker Prem Kumar indicated that the government would reconsider if needed, closing further discussion on the matter.
