No need for an anti-conversion law in Bihar: Nitish Kumar

Patna: Chief Minister of Bihar Nitish Kumar said that different communities in his state are living in peace, and there is no need for an anti-conversion law. He said that the government is 'alert', PTI reported.

He was responding to media queries about whether he thinks there is a need for an anti-conversion law in the state as there were reports surfacing in about the alleged conversion of Hindus from their faith with enticements offered by proselytizers.

"The government has always been alert here. And all people, be they from any religious group, live in peace. Hence such a move is not required here," the CM said without hesitance.

The CM's, who leads the JD(U), statement is widely seen as a political message to its ally BJP.

Many BJP leaders, including Union minister Giriraj Singh, have been impressing the need for such a law in the state.

An ideological difference between the CM and BJP has appeared in the matter of caste census in the state too. According to many BJP leaders and cabinet ministers, many "Rohingyas" and "Bangladeshis" have sneaked into Bihar and therefore, with attention, the state must not let them stay by adding them to the state-level headcount of castes.

Though Nitish Kumar had a political collaboration with the saffron party since the 1990s, he has different views on issues such as Ayodhya, Article 370, Uniform Civil Code, triple talaq, NRC and legislative measures for population control.