Be offensive not passive in opposing hate campaigns: Sangliana tells Church

Church must be offensive than being passive when it comes to opposing allegations of conversions by force, allurement or fraud against Christians, says Dr. HT Sangliana, vice chairman of the National Commission for Minorities.

Speaking to an audience of Christian leaders on Tuesday, Sangliana said Church appears clammed up rather than challenging elements making mendacious statements against Christians.

"Church must demand substantial proof of any conversion charges laid against Christians," he said.

He advises the Church to bring out testimonies of people who have been transformed by the Gospel and have embraced the Christian faith by free will.

"We must flood our markets with these testimonies so there is no room for fanatics to accuse us," said Sangliana, a decorated former police commissioner of Bangalore.

According to Sangliana, the NCM has been regularly receiving complaints on false charges and arrests against pastors and church leaders. He opined that the hate campaign against Christians was launched by a small number of elements spurred by political vendetta.

"There are no strained relations between Hindus and Christians. Majority of them praise Christians for their contributions and admire their good virtues. But there is this one per cent that whip up a frenzy for political gains," he said.

As a word of caution, Sangliana also asks Church to "educate our evangelists" and bring out a list of do's and don'ts for those wanting to share the Gospel. "Such measures would give less space for fanatics and would also enable foreign missionaries coming to India to be on guard," he said.

Sangliana was Tuesday addressing an NCCI consultation discussing the topic "is anti-conversion law a threat to secularism". He told the gathering that the NCM was keeping track of the various incidents of persecution reported against Christians.