New Delhi, India - The Opposition Congress in Madhya Pradesh today asked President A P J Abdul Kalam to prevent passage of Freedom of Religion (Amendment) Bill 2006 cleared by the state Assembly last month, saying it was not in interest of communal harmony and violated the spirit of Constitution.
"In the interest of national unity, integrity and communal harmony, I earnestly request you to direct the Honourable Governor of Madhya Pradesh to return the Bill for reconsideration as the Bill violates the spirit of the Constitution," Leader of Opposition in the state Jamuna Devi said in the memorandum she submitted to the President.
Devi said in the petition that the Bill dishonours Article 25 of the Constitution, which gives the citizens the freedom to preach and practice the religion of their choice.
She complained that the provisions of the Bill infringe upon individual liberty, enshrined in the Constitution.
"The bill upsets social harmony and communal peace as its objectionable provisions are ill-intended and would encourage fundamental outfits like RSS, Vishwa Hindu Parishad and Bajrang Dal," Devi said.
The Opposition party also claimed that provisions of the Bill clearly demonstrated prejudice against Christian missionaries and that they sought state's intervention in religious freedom of individuals.
"On behalf of the people of Madhya Pradesh, I request you to kindly intervene in the matter to prevent assaults on freedom of individuals who respect the secular texture of society," Devi said.