Hyderabad, India - In a significant move, the Andhra Pradesh government on Friday issued a notification prohibiting the propagation of other religions in notified places of worship.
The notification was issued after Governor Rameshwar Thakur promulgated the A P Propagation of Other Religions in the Places of Worship or Prayer (Prohibition) Ordinance, 2007.
A bill to this effect will be introduced in the next session of the assembly, Chief Minister Y S Rajasekhar Reddy told media persons in Hyderabad.
"This ordinance empowers the government to prohibit the propagation of religions other than the one that is traditionally practiced at the notified place," Reddy said.
The move comes against the backdrop of allegations over the growing activity of Christian missionaries in and around Tirumala, the popular hill shrine in the state.
Along with the notification, the state government issued a GO notifying Tirumala as a place of worship under section 2 of the ordinance.
The notification covers the 'Tirumala Divya Kshetram,' comprising all seven hills and 10 'Theerthas' falling under the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam's limits.
"Our government is committed to protecting the religious sentiments of people and sanctity of their shrines," the chief minister said.
The state cabinet had on April 27 decided to promulgate the ordinance that contains punitive measures for violators, including prison terms of up to three years and imposition of fines of up to Rs 5,000 or both.
With a view to maintain public order, tranquility and serenity at a place of worship, it is prohibited to propagate a religion other than the one 'traditionally practiced at such place, by words, either spoken or written, or signs or by visible representation or distribution of any printed material or other forms of religious literature,' the ordinance states.
The government will notify such places from time to time where the ban will be made applicable.
Taking note of instances of religious propagation, an official statement said: 'Such incidents were reported from the world renowned ancient temple of Tirumala and there were strong protests. The government perceives them as unwarranted intrusions into one religious group's domain, which could potentially disturb public order. The ordinance was aimed at ensuring that religious sentiments were not hurt and public order was not disturbed.'
The recognition of individual freedom and spirit of mutual respect and co-existence among various religious denominations is the bedrock of the country's ideological framework enshrined in the Constitution, the statement said.
The ban comes against the backdrop of a furore over growing missionary activity in and around Tirumala, the abode of Lord Venkateshwara, with Sangh Parivar organisations and Hindu scholars demanding a ban on the propagation of non-Hindu religions and stringent action against those who resort to conversions through inducements.