Will Scrap SC Certificates Of All Other Than Hindus, Buddhists, Sikhs: Devendra Fadnavis
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Thursday said if a person belonging a religion other than Hinduism, Buddhism and Sikhism has obtained a Scheduled Caste certificate fraudulently, it will be cancelled.
Action will be taken against such a person if he or she has secured reservation benefits such as government jobs. If such a person has won an election using a fraudulently obtained SC certificate, their election will be declared null and void, Mr Fadnavis said in the legislative council.
Replying to a 'calling attention' motion, he also said the state government intends to bring in strong provisions to deal with cases of religious conversion through coercion and cheating.
Amit Gorkhe (BJP) had claimed that freedom of religion was being misused by "crypto Christians", and some people benefit from reservations under the SC category while professing other religions. `Crypto Christians' was an apparent reference to people who discreetly follow Christianity while belonging to a different religion on paper.
On the face of it, they belong to an SC community and get reservation benefits like government jobs, he had said.
Mr Fadnavis said on November 26, 2024, the Supreme Court gave a verdict in which it made it clear that the Scheduled Castes category reservation can be availed only by Hindus, Buddhists and Sikhs, and not by those belonging to other religions.
"If anyone from religions other than Hinduism, Buddhism and Sikhism has availed an SC certificate or reservation, their validity certificates and caste certificates will be cancelled with due procedure. If anyone has availed benefits like government jobs, action will be taken against them," he said.
"Recovery (of monetary benefits) will be recommended from those who have availed benefits using fraudulently obtained caste certificates," he said.
BJP leader Chitra Wagh said there have been cases where women were duped into marriage by hiding the husband's religion.
She cited a case in Sangli where a woman married into a family which secretly professed Christianity. The woman suffered torture and was forced to change her religion, leading to her death while she was seven months pregnant, Wagh said.
A person can follow any religion and convert another person with consent, but law does not permit the use of force, cheating or enticement for conversion, the chief minister said.
"Complaints of coercion or inducement for conversion will lead to investigation and action against the concerned organisation," Mr Fadnavis added.
The state government had formed a panel headed by the Director General of Police (DGP) for giving recommendations to deal with such cases, and it has submitted its report, he said.
The government will study it and bring in new (legal) provisions so that conversions do not happen by force or cheating, he said.
"Action can be taken under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) in such cases. But a panel was formed to suggest strict provisions. The state government has the intentions of bringing in strong provisions to deal with such cases, and we will take a decision on this soon," he said.
On Monday, Pankaj Bhoyar, Minister of State for Home, had said the state will bring an anti-conversion law in the winter session of the legislature, and it will be more stringent than similar legislations in other states.
Pravin Darekar (BJP) claimed a secret campaign to lure people into converting was being carried out in poor localities and slums.
CM Fadnavis acknowledged that such things take place in slums. He, however, said the government has no intention to ban religious conversions that take place consensually.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Hindu
13 minutes ago
- The Hindu
Martyrs Day rally: Trinamool Congress gears up to sharpen Bengali pride narrative amid migrant row
With an eye on Assembly polls next year in West Bengal, the Trinamool Congress (TMC) is gearing up to turn its annual Martyrs' Day rally into a powerful platform to sharpen its Bengali pride narrative and hit out at the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) over the alleged harassment of Bengali-speaking migrants in saffron-ruled States. Set against the backdrop of rising tensions over the linguistic profiling and treatment of Bengali migrant workers in BJP-governed States such as Assam, Odisha, Maharashtra, Gujarat and Delhi, the July 21 rally in Kolkata's Esplanade is expected to see Trinamool Congress supremo and Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee issue a clarion call to her party workers, reiterating her message that "Bengalis are not second-class citizens in their own country." Calcutta High Court sets 'office hour' curbs for Mamata's July 21 rally "Time and again, poor Bengali-speaking workers are being picked up, harassed, and branded as illegal infiltrators. The BJP is criminalising poverty and weaponising identity to harass the marginalised," a senior TMC leader told PTI. In recent weeks, a political storm has been brewing in West Bengal, with Ms. Banerjee alleging that Bengali-speaking migrants are being detained, targeted, and subjected to linguistic profiling in the name of national security. "Being born a Bengali has become a crime in BJP States. They think every Bengali is from Bangladesh. We won't tolerate this insult," Ms. Banerjee thundered at a recent public meeting. Protests will rage if Bengalis are harassed, says Mamata The TMC has accused the BJP of resorting to "linguistic othering" and has sought to reignite the emotional chord of regional identity that helped it counter the BJP's Hindutva wave during the 2021 Assembly polls. "Dignity, identity, and survival are at stake. BJP is out to erase Bengali self-respect under the garb of nationalism. Our fight is not just electoral-it's existential," a TMC MP said. The BJP, on the other hand, has pushed back strongly. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, during his recent rally in Durgapur, accused the TMC of promoting infiltration and endangering national security for vote-bank politics. "It is the BJP that truly protects Bengali 'ashmita'," Mr. Modi had said, as he projected the BJP as the only credible alternative in Bengal. BJP persecuting Bengali speakers in Assam claims Mamata Banerjee; Himanta Biswa Sarma hits back Responding to the TMC's allegations over migrant harassment, BJP leaders have claimed that the confusion stems from the TMC's failure to streamline citizenship and voter documentation. "They are blaming others to hide their incompetence," said a Bengal BJP leader. The Martyrs' Day rally, observed annually on July 21, commemorates the killing of 13 youth activists in police firing in 1993 when Mamata Banerjee, then a fiery Youth Congress leader, led a march to the State Secretariat demanding that voter ID cards be made the sole document for franchise. Over the years, the rally has morphed into the biggest show of political strength by the TMC, often setting the tone for upcoming battles. This year's rally, party insiders say, will be a launch pad for a high-voltage campaign leading up to the 2026 Assembly polls, where the TMC plans to weaponise both Bengali pride and the perceived humiliation of its people across State borders. "We gave them 'poriborton' (change) in 2011. Now, we will give them 'protibad' (resistance)," said a young TMC MLA, hinting at a fiery speech by Ms. Banerjee that will blend emotional appeal with sharp political messaging. Security has been beefed up for Monday's rally, with thousands of supporters already streaming into the city from across the State. Ms. Banerjee, known for her emotive oratory, is expected to take direct aim at the BJP's "double standards" — questioning how the same party that talks of Bengali pride in Bengal is accused of humiliating Bengalis elsewhere. With lakhs of supporters expected to pour into Kolkata from every corner of the State — some on overcrowded local trains, others by trucks draped in TMC flags — the city is already witnessing a carnival-like build-up. Tea stalls and dhabas in Esplanade and Sealdah are abuzz with slogans such as "Khela Hobe, abar hobe" and "Banglar keu Bangladeshi noy" (No Bengali from Bengal is a Bangladeshi). As a party strategist put it, "From 1993 to 2025, this rally is more than a tribute. It is Mamata Banerjee's declaration of battle against injustice, against humiliation, and for the soul of Bengal. With the 2026 Assembly showdown on the horizon and a resurgent BJP sharpening its knives, the July 21 rally is poised to be more than just a commemoration — it's a political bugle call. In a State where identity runs deep and memory lingers long, the rally promises to redraw the battle lines of power, pride, and perception. In the grand political theatre that lies ahead, July 21 could well be TMC's opening act — with Mamata Banerjee cast once again as the combative protagonist, and 'Bengali asmita' as both shield and sword.
Hans India
43 minutes ago
- Hans India
Major political developments later this year: State BJP chief
Mysuru: BJP president B Y Vijayendra on Friday predicted a major political development in the state later this year, amid speculation about the chief minister change within the ruling of the government's mega convention 'Sadhana Samavesha' in Mysuru on July 19, he claimed that the event is part of Siddaramaiah's conspiracy to 'blackmail or threaten' the Congress high command, using his AHINDA vote bank, against any move to replace him from the CM post. AHINDA is a Kannada acronym for minorities, backward classes, and Dalits. 'Wait and see in November, or either before the Bihar election or after the Bihar election. It is certain that a major political development will take place in Karnataka. No one can stop it from happening,' Vijayendra told reporters in response to a question on CM or leadership change developments in the ruling Congress. Asked about the BJP's role in the predicted political developments, he said, 'The BJP is functioning as an opposition in the state, and we are satisfied.' The state government is organising the Sadhana Samavesha, where development works worth over Rs 2,600 crore for Mysuru will be inaugurated and foundation stones will be laid, according to officials. Siddaramaiah is known for holding conventions whenever he faces a threat to the CM's post. Tomorrow's event is part of a conspiracy to directly threaten the Congress high command, Vijayendra claimed. 'Recently, when Siddaramaiah went to Delhi, Rahul Gandhi did not give him an appointment. He directly met Mallikarjun Kharge (Congress President) and gave an interview to the national media where he threw a challenge at the Congress high command (by asserting he will be CM for five years). 'So, tomorrow's convention in Mysuru is not just a Sadhana Samavesha, there is a conspiracy to blackmail the Congress high command behind it,' he said. Further, questioning the CM as to why Sadhana Samavesha is being held, he said, 'There is no such situation. What is your Sadhane (achievement)?' Alleging that Siddaramaiah and his deputy D K Shivakumar's competition for free publicity led to stampede outside Chinnaswamy stadium in Bengaluru on June 4 killing eleven people, Vijayendra said both of them should have taken responsibility, but innocent police officers are being made the scapegoat. 'RCB is also being made a scapegoat using the retired Justice John Michael Cunha commission (the one-man inquiry commission constituted by the government to inquire into the stampede) report, to prove themselves (Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar) as innocent,' he claimed and asked, is this the achievement for which the Sadhana Samavesha is being held? Questioning the government about what is had achieved and done for Mysuru to hold the Sadhana Samavesha here, the state BJP chief said, 'Sadhana Samavesha is not to commemorate the chief minister's achievements or the development of the state or for giving crores of money for Mysuru region. Instead, as the time has come for him (Siddaramaiah) to resign as the CM, to assert that he won't resign for any reason, this is a conspiracy to threaten the Congress high command.' Alleging that Siddaramaiah holds conventions whenever there is a threat to his CM seat, he said, it is only then the CM remembers AHINDA communities, which is his strong support base and vote bank. Using the AHINDA communities as his 'capital', Siddaramaiah is conspiring to threaten Shivakumar and the Congress high command, he alleged. Asked if the conspiracy will work out this time too, Vijayendra said there are limitations to any conspiracy. The Congress leaders themselves have been saying there is a power sharing understanding between Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar at the high command level. 'The situation seems to have arisen for the CM to resign, so all this game is going on. We will get an answer to this in the days ahead,' he added. The Karnataka Congress has been under scrutiny over reports of a rotational chief minister arrangement between Shivakumar and current Chief Minister Siddaramaiah following the party's victory in the 2023 Assembly elections. While both leaders have publicly denied any such formal agreement, speculation continues to persist within party circles.
Hans India
43 minutes ago
- Hans India
CM slams BJP-JDS MPs, says they lack courage to question Modi
Mysuru: KarnatakaChief Minister Siddaramaiah launched a scathing attack on the BJP and JD(S) during the 'Sadhana Samavesha' in Mysuru, accusing their MPs of lacking the courage to even stand before Prime Minister Narendra Modi and raise their voice against the injustice meted out to Karnataka. Addressing a packed gathering, Siddaramaiah threw an open challenge to BJP and JD(S) leaders to come onto the same stage and debate development. 'Had they been here today, people would have seen who has truly brought development to the state. I am ready to debate anytime — let them come,' he dared. Taking aim at the opposition parties' constant criticism, Siddaramaiah said, 'The BJP and JD(S) should not harbor so much jealousy. If our government was bankrupt as they claim, how could we plan and deliver so many development schemes? This is not my show of strength — it is the strength of our commitment to progress, presented before the people.' Referring to JD(S)'s declining strength, Siddaramaiah recalled that during his tenure as party president, JD(S) won 58 seats, but now it has been reduced to just 18 MLAs. 'JD(S) has grown too weak to come to power on its own — that's why they have aligned with the BJP. Together, they have failed to win the love of the people,' he charged. The Chief Minister further alleged that BJP and JD(S) MPs shiver before Modi and do not dare to question him about the state's rightful share. 'They are spineless before Modi. They don't have the guts to open their mouths. Instead, they mislead people with false claims. They are ashamed because our guarantee schemes have made the poor, Dalits, and minorities happy — that's why they are burning inside,' he quipped. Hitting out at the Prime Minister, Siddaramaiah said, 'Narendra Modi works only for the top 10% of this country. The remaining 90% do not matter to him. But the Congress stands with the poor and Dalits. We follow the ideals of Buddha, Basava, and Ambedkar. The BJP and RSS stand for Manusmriti and are anti-Constitution,' he alleged. Rejecting opposition claims that the Congress government will stop its welfare guarantees, Siddaramaiah clarified, 'The guarantees are permanent. No matter what they say, we will not withdraw them. In fact, the BJP is shamelessly copying our guarantees in other states. Modi ji, does that not embarrass you?' he mocked. With this, Siddaramaiah reaffirmed that his government would continue its guarantees and remain focused on inclusive development, despite the opposition's constant hurdles and accusations.
