The Hindu : BJP committee to examine economic reasons for conversions

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Tuesday, Dec 31, 2002

Southern States

Southern States - Tamil Nadu

BJP committee to examine economic reasons for conversions

By Our Staff Reporter

VELLORE Dec. 30. The Tamil Nadu BJP has constituted a committee, headed by S.P.Kirubanidhi, State president, to bring about unity between the backward classes and Dalits in the villages, put an end to frequent clashes, and to address itself to one of the causes for conversion, namely "economic reasons".

A resolution to this effect was passed at the second day's deliberations of the two-day State executive committee meeting here on Monday.

Briefing newspersons on the deliberations, L.Ganesan, all-India secretary, said a welcome development in recent times was that open discussions were taking place among political parties on important issues such as the Tamil Nadu Ban on Forcible Religious Conversion Act.

Earlier, political leaders confined themselves to mutual recriminations, criticism of individuals and levelling "corruption" charges against each other. But of late, leaders discussed policies and ideologies, which was healthy criticism.

The BJP would resort to a two-pronged approach to tackle the problem of conversion. Wherever clashes occurred owing to practices such as the two-tumbler system, preventing Dalits from wearing chappals and difficulties in taking out funeral processions, BJP cadres would meet leaders of both groups to settle the dispute.

The party would constitute committees, from village level to State level, to resolve problems.

Secondly, committees would tour different parts for conducting social harmony programmes to unite the backward classes and Dalits and create awareness among the people of the need to eradicate untouchability.

In reply to a question, Mr.Ganesan said the majority opinion in the State executive favoured the party contesting the Sattankulam Assembly byelection. The election committee would be convened soon to discuss the issue and recommend its view to the all-India BJP.

Mr.Ganesan said the BJP would make known its views on scrapping of free power in Tamil Nadu at the all-party agriculturists' meet to be held in Coimbatore on January 3.

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