PIL in SC seeks probe into 17-year girl’s suicide in Tamil Nadu


Team Udayavani, Feb 2, 2022, 1:40 PM IST

New Delhi: A PIL has been filed in the Supreme Court seeking probe into the ”root-cause” of suicide by a 17-year-old girl, allegedly coerced to convert to Christianity in Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu.

The plea filed by advocate Ashwini Kumar Upadhyay also seeks direction to the Centre and states to take stringent steps to control fraudulent religious conversion by ”intimidation, threatening, deceivingly luring through gifts and monetary benefits”.

”The injury caused to the citizens is extremely large because there is not even one district which is free of religious conversion by ‘hook and crook and the carrot and the stick’.

”Incidents are reported every week throughout the country where conversion is done by intimidating, threatening, deceivingly luring through gifts and monetary benefits and also by using black magic, superstition, miracles but Centre and States have not taken stringent steps to stop this menace,” said the plea filed through advocate Ashwani Kumar Dubey.

It said a ”nationalised” law on conversion needs to be passed for practical enforceability as state anti-conversion laws do not precisely define fraud, coercion, and inducement.

”The evidence of deceitful religious conversion can be accessed through social media, primarily on YouTube and Facebook. The Foreign-funded individuals and NGOs are provided with a road map and a monthly target about the number of religious conversions that shall be carried out,” the plea said.

The PIL stated that conversion is a pan India problem and the Centre must enact a law and get it implemented throughout the country.

”The Law should have in-depth scrutiny on foreign funds as many individuals operate under the veil of NGOs. The Law should also include provisions to restrict foreign NGOs from entering India during national calamities. Initially, the NGOs extend help but gradually, they start converting affected poor people, finding an opportunity as they are vulnerable and need help during calamity,” it said.

The plea has also sought directions to the Law Commission of India to prepare a report as well as a Bill to control religious conversion by intimidation, threatening, deceivingly luring through gifts and monetary benefits.

”Direct National Investigation Agency/Central Bureau of Investigation and/or National Human Right Commission/National Commission of Protection of Child Rights to investigate root-cause of death of 17-year-old Lavanya, who committed suicide in Thanjavur,” the plea said.

The 17-year-old student of the missionary school in Thanjavur belonged to Ariyalur district. A few days ago, she committed suicide.

The girl, a hostel inmate, was allegedly coerced to convert to Christianity. A video clip in this connection had gone viral. The school management had rejected the allegation and had blamed vested interests.

In the police statement as well as in the statement before the judicial magistrate, the child had directly and in unambiguous terms accused the hostel warden of burdening her by assigning her non-academic chores and unable to bear the same, she consumed pesticide.

Udayavani is now on Telegram. Click here to join our channel and stay updated with the latest news.

Top News

Actress Kasthuri released from jail, says ‘I thank those who made me raging storm’

Kidnapped for ransom in 1998, 26/11 survivor Gautam Adani faces biggest trial

100 engineering colleges in Karnataka to be ‘adopted’ by corporates by next year: IT Minister Kharge

Siddaramaiah defends BPL ration card cancellation, says only ineligible beneficiaries affected

China announces new policy measures to protect its exports from Trump’s new tariff threat

Renovated Medical Oncology OPD and Chemotherapy Day Care Centre inaugurated at Kasturba Hospital, Manipal

Karnataka Health Minister justifies revision of user fees in state-run hospitals

Related Articles More

Actress Kasthuri released from jail, says ‘I thank those who made me raging storm’

Kerala HC quashes FIR against Goa Guv over remarks on Sabarimala women entry

Smriti Irani embarks on four-nation tour to promote book on PM Modi

Karnataka Milk Federation enters Delhi-NCR, offers competitive pricing on Nandini products

Rahul, Congress tried since 2002 to target Modi’s image, PM’s credibility remains high: BJP

MUST WATCH

Christmas Cake Fruit Mixing

DK Shivakumar

Rose Cultivation

Geethotsava

Naxal Operation


Latest Additions

Siddaramaiah says confident of winning all three bypolls in Karnataka

Hop on! IT Minister Priyank Kharge checks out Uber Shuttle at Bengaluru Tech Summit

Actress Kasthuri released from jail, says ‘I thank those who made me raging storm’

Kidnapped for ransom in 1998, 26/11 survivor Gautam Adani faces biggest trial

AIMPLB to hold its annual general sessions in Bengaluru from November 23

Thanks for visiting Udayavani

You seem to have an Ad Blocker on.
To continue reading, please turn it off or whitelist Udayavani.