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CHENNAI, INDIA, October 31, 2002: Amid an hour-long acrimonious debate, the anti-conversion bill was passed by the Tamil Nadu Assembly on Thursday with 140 members voting in favor and 73 opposing the motion. In the 234-member house, none remained neutral. Speaker K. Kalimuthu did not participate in the voting. Twenty members, including former Chief Minister, M. Karunanidhi and DMK leader K. Anbazhagan, were not present when the Bill was put to vote, after the entire opposition, barring the BJP, pressed for a division. Replying to the debate, Chief Minister Jayalalitha said the legislation was not directed against any particular religion or minorities. There was no provision under the IPC to prevent conversions and therefore the government felt the need for a legislation to curb forceful conversions through “force and allurement.” “Those changing religion on their own volition will not be covered under this legislation.” Taking a dig at those opposing the legislation, Jayalalitha quoted the father of the nation, Mahatma Gandhi as having said that “conversions are harmful to India. If I had the power and could legislate, I should certainly stop all proselytizing.” The law was first promulgated as an executive order by the chief minister, but now has passed as a formal legislative act.

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