Pushing for a stringent anti-conversion law, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj on Thursday stressed that legislation was the only solution to address the issue of conversion and re-conversion, and urged all political parties to support the government in its endeavour.
At a press conference here to brief the achievements of the Union government on completion of seven months in office, she said there was nothing wrong with the Ghar Vapsi campaign through which people who had moved out of Hinduism were being brought back to the community.
Such programmes, she said, were not unconstitutional as conversions were being voluntarily without force. The only requirement was that the Collector’s office should be informed before holding such programmes to ensure that conversions were taking place without coercion or inducements.
Replying to a question why she was not seen with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on several of his visits abroad, she clarified that it was not essential that the External Affairs Minister should accompany the Prime Minister on all foreign tours. “What we have followed is a division of work.”
In this context, she said she had officially visited 14 countries, called meetings with representatives of 18 countries in India, and held meetings with representatives of 26 countries outside India.
Briefing about her Ministry’s work, Ms. Swaraj said efforts were under way to introduce e-passport and set a time frame for police verification. “It is only seven months since we have been in power. Please give us some more time.”