NEW DELHI: In the wake of continuing attacks on Christians, the BJP on Monday called for passing of an anti-conversion law in states like Karnata
ka and Orissa to check the communal violence there.

Stating the communal violence in the two states had its roots in socio-political and economic reasons, the saffron party accused the Congress-led UPA government of "selective condemnation".

Senior BJP leader Venkaiah Naidu also demanded a comprehensive debate on the issue, while invoking Mahatma Gandhi's stand against conversions.

Quoting Gandhi, Naidu said, "If I had the power and could legislate, I should stop all proselytising". He said there was need for an anti-conversion law and called for a full-fledge debate on the issue.

When it was pointed out that five states, including Orissa, already had an anti-conversion law but this had not prevented communal violence there, Naidu said the reasons were more deep-rooted and there was a need for a dialogue between the two communities.

"Unless the core issues of land alienation and organised conversions are not addressed in its totality, the situation in Orissa cannot be expected to improve...the government should take steps to release large tracts of land that are being grabbed by fraudulent means," Naidu said.

Those forging caste certificates to get the benefits of reservation should also be dealt with severely by the government, he added.