Christian community taking out a silent march in Shivamogga on Thursday. | Photo Credit: S.K. Dinesh
Members of the Christian community from Shivamogga, Davanagere and Chitradurga districts took out a silent march in Shivamogga on Thursday, urging the State government to repeal the Karnataka Protection of Right to Freedom of Religion Act, 2022, popularly known as the anti-conversion law.
The march, organised by the Shivamogga zone of the All Karnataka United Christian Forum for Human Rights, began at 9:30 a.m. from the Sacred Heart Cathedral and concluded at the Deputy Commissioner’s office. The participants submitted a memorandum addressed to Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar.
In the memorandum, the forum reminded the Congress of its 2023 Assembly election promise to repeal the law. Despite more than three years in office, the government had not fulfilled the promise, leaving the minority communities disappointed.
The forum stated that the Act raised serious constitutional concerns as it threatened freedom of conscience, privacy and dignity. Even peaceful prayer meetings could attract allegations of unlawful conversion. It said the provision allowing marriages to be declared null and void on the ground of religious conversion interfered with the right of consenting adults to choose a life partner.
The forum acknowledged that the previous Cabinet had decided in June 2023 to repeal the Act, but said the delay in completing the process had caused uncertainty in the affected communities. It demanded the government table the amendment bill to withdraw the controversial act.
The memorandum has been signed by Simon Pinto, president of the forum and others.
Published - November 12, 2026 08:21 pm IST
Source: The Hindu · The Hindu Bureau
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