Fulfilling a poll promise, the Congress government in Karnataka has announced the repeal of the State’s Protection of Right to Freedom of Religion Act, 2022 — popularly known as the anti-conversion law — which was one of the most controversial legislations ushered in during the previous BJP regime. On Thursday, the State Cabinet also decided to reverse the changes made to Kannada and Social Studies school textbooks last year, including lessons on Hindutva ideologues.
The second full-fledged Cabinet meeting held after the Congress came to power last month decided to repeal the controversial Act, whose validity has been questioned in court. It also decided to repeal the BJP government’s 2020 amendments of the Agriculture Produce Marketing Act, which were opposed by a number of farmers’ groups. Both repeal Bills will be piloted in the Budget session of the Assembly starting on July 3, State Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister H.K. Patil said after the Cabinet meeting.
Explained | Karnataka’s anti-conversion legislation
