8 months ago
Uttarakhand Governor Returns Anti-Conversion Bill Amendment
Lt Gen (retd) Gurmit Singh, a decorated Army veteran, is the Governor of Uttarakhand.
He recently returned a Bill that aimed to make changes to a law about religious conversions.
The Bill was sent back because of some mistakes and repeated words.
The government plans to pass the changes through an ordinance.
Some political parties are criticizing the Governor, saying he is biased and not doing his job properly.
The Governor has a long military career and has received many awards.
His appointment as Governor was seen as a move to attract Sikh voters.
Some people also criticize him for not handling a violent situation well in the past.
Lt Gen (retd) Gurmit Singh, Governor of Uttarakhand, returned a Bill amending the Freedom of Religion and Prohibition of Unlawful Conversion Act, 2018.
The Bill was returned due to clerical errors and repetitions, not on Constitutional grounds.
The government plans to pass the amendments through an ordinance.
Opposition parties criticize Singh for political bias and ineffective governance.
Singh's appointment as Governor was seen as an attempt to reach out to Sikh voters.
- Who
- Lt Gen (retd) Gurmit Singh, Governor of Uttarakhand
- What
- Returned a Bill amending the Freedom of Religion and Prohibition of Unlawful Conversion Act, 2018
- Where
- Uttarakhand, India
- When
- Earlier this week (specific date not mentioned)
- Why
- Citing clerical errors and repetitions in the Bill
Key facts
- Name
- Lt Gen (retd) Gurmit Singh
- Current Position
- Governor of Uttarakhand
- Previous Role
- Deputy Chief of Army Staff
- Bill Returned
- Freedom of Religion and Prohibition of Unlawful Conversion Act, 2018
- Reason for Return
- Clerical errors and repetitions
- Opposition Criticism
- Allegations of political bias and ineffective governance
- Sikh Population in Uttarakhand
- 2.3 lakh (2011 Census)
Quotes
Indresh Maikhuri
CPI(M-L) L leader
“He is the Constitutional head of Uttarakhand and cannot take part in political events; he has attended rallies during elections. Even the anti-conversion Bill too was returned due to technical errors by the legislative department and not over Constitutional issues.”
indianexpress.com
“We sought his intervention as there was a violent crackdown by the administration in the area. He agreed to our request for maintaining peace, but by the evening, the crackdown had only increased. Despite holding a Constitutional position, he did not work towards a resolution.”
indianexpress.com
Suryakant Dhasmana
State Congress vice-president
“He regularly speaks about (Prime Minister) Narendra Modi and his meeting with the PM, and speaks of nationalism when elections approach.”
indianexpress.com
