Hyderabad, Mar 15 (TNT): AIMIM President and Hyderabad MP, Asaduddin Owaisi on Sunday criticised the proposed anti-conversion bill in Maharashtra, describing it as “worse than the worst” of similar laws enacted in other states.
In a post on social media platform X, Owaisi said such laws already criminalise even genuine religious conversions, create hurdles for interfaith marriages and require prior permission for conversion.
He alleged that the proposed Maharashtra law goes further by penalising anyone endorsing conversion documents and prohibiting conversion through what it describes as “brainwashing through education”.
“These broad terms can be used to arrest people arbitrarily, which is the purpose of this Bill,” Owaisi said.
He questioned whether reading a holy book or learning about a religion from a scholar could be interpreted as “brainwashing” under the proposed law.
Owaisi also expressed concern that the bill allows police to initiate investigations without a complaint, saying this could lead to arrests even if family members of the person converting raise no objections.
Calling it ironic that such legislation is being introduced in Maharashtra, he said the state is also the place where B.R. Ambedkar embraced Buddhism along with several lakh followers.
He alleged that the proposed law violates the right to privacy and freedom of faith, adding that the Constitution guarantees the liberty of thought, expression, belief, faith and worship.
TNT KS
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