Author: Press Trust of India
Publication: The Indian Express
Date: August 8, 2006
URL: http://www.expressindia.com/fullstory.php?newsid=72143
The BJP attacked Congress chief Sonia Gandhi
for opposing anti-conversion laws alleging she was encouraging proselytism.
BJP leader Vijay Kumar Malhotra said that
his party regarded Gandhi's comments on anti-conversion laws as a reflection
of the Congress' 'anti-Hindu mindset'.
"Also, this shows she is encouraging
missionaries engaged in conversions to Christianity," he said citing
the Congress leader's comments in a letter to a Christian group that her party
had opposed anti-conversion legislations in the BJP-ruled states.
Malhotra, however, insisted Madhya Pradesh
had adopted a similar legislation more than five decades ago when the Congress
was in power both in the state and at the Centre.
"This anti-conversion legislation came
in Madhya Pradesh during the Nehru government. Orissa too had it when the
Congress was in power there," he said.
In his comments on the Pathak Authority report,
Malhotra, whose party on Monday called it 'half-truth', dubbed it a 'fraud
and a farce' and said the BJP was preparing itself for a debate on it in Parliament.
Also, the BJP will raise its voice strongly
over the Bofors issue in the light of former Union Minister Arun Singh's remarks
that the deal did involve kickbacks, he added.
He, however, remained noncommittal on plans
to bring in a no-trust motion against Somnath Chatterjee, whom the NDA accused
of suppressing the Opposition's voice, saying any such decision would be taken
only after consulting allies.
Also, the BJP leader, who expressed dissatisfaction
with the government's response to lab reports on Coca Cola and Pepsi, demanded
both companies be asked to display ingredients of the drinks on the bottle
labels.
