Rajasthan State Governor Pratibha Patil has refused to sign a controversial anti-conversion bill which many had feared would exacerbate existing inter-communal tensions. The Governor's decision has given hope to religious minorities facing increasing discrimination and persecution.

The Rajasthan Freedom of Religion bill, which was passed on 7 April (see CSW, 'Anti-Conversion Law Introduced in Rajasthan, India', 10 April), prohibited conversions by 'force', 'fraud' or 'allurement'. There had been fears that the vague definitions might easily be used to jeopardise a wide range of legitimate religious activities.

Despite the ostensible aim to 'maintain harmony amongst persons of various religions', it was further feared that the law would create a climate in which violent opposition to genuine conversions would be legitimised.

In other Indian states with anti-conversion legislation, Christians have been the targets of widespread attacks by Hindu extremists. These extremists often accuse Christians of converting people by 'force' or 'fraud'. Laws such as this, which give credence to this rhetoric, make the Christians more vulnerable to accusations and attacks.

The Governor returned the bill to the Rajasthan Government, leaving it with the option of referring the bill to the President under Article 200 of the Constitution.

The bill had attracted widespread condemnation from human rights and religious groups in India and abroad. On 18 May, Pope Benedict XVI called for a firm rejection of 'the reprehensible attempt to legislate clearly discriminatory restrictions on the fundamental right of religious freedom'.

The opposition Congress Party in Rajasthan's State Government also maintained that the bill was aimed at minorities in the state.

CSW partners, the All India Christian Council, expressed their approval of the rejection of the bill. Dr John Dayal, Secretary General of the AICC and member of the Government's National Integration Council, wrote a letter of thanks to the Governor of Rajasthan, saying, 'We thank you for paying heed to the nationwide outcry ' against the bill whose intention and nefarious motives were nothing less than to divide the people on religious lines and injure the secular polity of the state and the nation.'

Mervyn Thomas, Chief Executive of CSW, said, 'We are delighted to hear that Mrs Pratibha Patil has taken the bold step of refusing to ratify the state's anti-conversion bill. This is a much-needed boost for religious minorities in Rajasthan and, most importantly, a clear statement of the incompatibility of anti-conversion legislation with India's secular democratic values. We hope this leads to further challenges to anti-conversion laws in five other states in India.'

Notes to editors.

Christians are estimated to make up no more than 100,000 of Rajasthan's population of 70 million.

This year has already seen widespread attacks on Christians in Rajasthan at the hands of Hindu extremists.

India's constitution protects the right 'to freely profess, practise and propagate religion'.