Goa, Aug. 28 -- AUGUSTO RODRIGUES

With four cases of alleged re ligious conversion regis tered in Goa since 2012, the proposed Goa Prohi bition of Unlawful Con version of Religion Bill, 2026, raises a fundamental question - what problem is the government seeking to solve with a law carry ing exceptionally severe penalties? The government's own figures appear to offer little evidence of a widespread conversion problem in the State. The legislative record is particularly revealing. In reply to LAQ Nos 017A and 132 tabled by Cuncolim MLA Yuri Alemao, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant indicated that two cases had been registered up to June 30, 2023. In LAQ 132, Alemao asked, "whether the gov ernment has issued any or ders directing the mamlat dar...