Christian groups expresses concern over Madhya Pradesh anti–conversion law

Several Christian bodies including the Evangelical Fellowship of India (EFI) has expressed deep concern over the rise in incidents of anti–Christian violence in Madhya Pradesh and the shocking decision taken by the state to make the existing anti–conversion law, Madhya Pradesh Freedom of Religion Act, 1968, more stringent.

The amendments stipulate that people intending to convert from one religion to another, as well as religious official intending to preside over the conversion ceremony, must inform district officials of their intentions a month in advance. The law originally required the religious minister to provide authorities with details of the conversion only after the event.

"The proposed amendments will make it mandatory for priests conducting conversion ceremonies or being directly or indirectly associated with these ceremonies to inform the district magistrate a month before any such ceremony takes place. The amendment also seeks to impose stricter fines and sentences for those found violating the Act. The individual converting must also inform the district magistrate. This is clearly an interference of the administration in people's choice to choose their religion," the EFI general secretary, Rev. Richard Howell said.

"The amendment comes in spite of the recent National Commission for Minorities (NCM) report which found that as it is the Act was being misused to harass and target Christians. In numerous instances, Christians were physically attacked and churches vandalised, all on the pretext of conversion," he noted.

"The NCM report states that another astonishing fact was that whosoever made a complaint against the hoodlums was immediately charged with conversion and complaint registered against him or her. This was a planned move to terrorise the minority community. It is apparent that the administration is playing in the hands of miscreant. The report further noted that police remained mere spectators and did nothing to protect the minority community," Rev. Howell said.

According to the EFI, vague definitions in the anti–conversion law have led to great misuse of the legislation by Hindu extremist groups whose actions are often overlooked condoned by state authorities.

"We urge the government of Madhya Pradesh to repeal this Act and to show to the Christian community their commitment to protect the fundamental rights as enshrined in the Indian Constitution," Rev. Howell said.

"The Indian Constitution safeguards an individual's right to freely profess, practise and propagate religion. Further as signatory to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, and numerous other human right covenants, India is committed to safeguarding basic human rights such as the freedom of religion," he continued. "[However] these [anti–conversion] laws abrogate the individual's freedom of conscience and leave it to the discretion of the state authorities to determine whether there is any force, fraud or allurement. The provisions strengthen the hands of religious fundamentalists and serve only to intimidate religious minorities and to obstruct freedom of faith."

Meanwhile, in protest against the state anti–conversion legislation, an ecumenical delegation led by All India Christian Council (AICC) and Indira Ayengar, member, State Minority Commission, met Madhya Pradesh Governor Balram Jakhar and shared their concerns.

Archbishop Pascal Topno of Bhopal said the Government did not want Christian missions to help any minority communities to progress due to political considerations.

According to the Jesuit prelate, fanatic Hindus had been misusing the religious conversion law and the amendments would help such fundamentalist groups harass minority communities, especially Christians.

Christians and their institutions had been suffering violent attacks ever since the BJP assumed power in Madhya Pradesh in December 2003.

Just during the past six months, for instance, Jabalpur town witnessed more than 20 attacks on Christians and Christian institutions.

In most cases, Hindu fundamentalists, allegedly with police connivance, ransacked homes and attacked prayer meetings, and then filed police complaints against Christians for carrying a copy of the Bible and other Christian literature, which they claimed was an attempt to carry out religious conversion.

"The Church will continue with its activities. Christians will band together to fight the amendments, which are undemocratic and against human dignity," Archbishop Topno said.

Similarly, Pastor Suresh Karton, spokesperson of the Church of North India's Bhopal diocese, said the amended law would affect the services his Church provides to its members. He said his Church would join with the leaders of other Christian organizations to try to change the law.

"There is no doubt that this (amendment) amounts to denial of religious freedom," Rev. Anand Muttungal, spokesperson of Madhya Pradesh regional Conference of Catholic bishops, told Ecumenical News International (ENI).

However, he added that the church would not directly lobby against the legislation, as it would lend credence to Hindu fundamentalists' claims that Christians were engaging in dubious conversions.

Some like Cardinal Telesphore P. Toppo, feel that no anti–conversion law can crush the Christian spirit and prevent the believers from practising or propagating their faith.

According to the chairman of the Catholic Bishops Conference of India (CBCI) and archbishop of Ranchi, Christians are "law–abiding citizens" and "it is important to understand that these are attempts to upset and trouble us Christians, not mention to get rid of our mission."

Nonetheless, Cardinal Toppo said that he was not worried. "We are not worried," he said. "The Church has a rich history that goes back 2,000 years, and India's Church, which is in complete harmony and unity with the universal Church, finds strength in this tradition."

"Whilst we pray for our Church, its ministry and witness, we intercede with the people who frame such regulations," he said. "We pray that through our work and our ministry, God may touch their hearts and the truth may be revealed to them. Thus in our beloved India, a society of justice and peace may be established."

According to sources close to the development, people worldwide are also waking up to the challenges posed to the Christian faith in India.

Sixteen British MPs (Members of the Parliament) have signed a letter encouraging the Indian government to address concerns about anti–conversion legislation raised by leaders representing a range of religious communities in India, Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW), international partner of AICC has reported.

It was also sent to the Indian President and Prime Minister, and to key representatives of the National Commission for Minorities and National Commission for Human Rights in India.

The letter signed by MPs, accompanied by a covering note offered sincere condolences with regard to recent terrorist bombings in Mumbai and expressed support for a joint statement which has been signed by 104 religious leaders, Dalit leaders and lawyers in India, calling for the repeal of the laws.

The 'Joint Statement on Anti–Conversion Legislation in India,' has been signed by leading figures representing the Christian, Muslim, Hindu, Buddhist and Dalit communities, and is this week being submitted to senior government officials in India.

Among the notable signatories are Dr. John Dayal, president of the All India Catholic Union and a member of the government's National Integration Council (NIC); Dr. Udit Raj, a Buddhist of Dalit background and president of the Indian Justice Party; Dr. Joseph D'Souza, president of the All India Christian Council; Professor (Dr.) Tahir Mahmood, a member of the National Commission for Religious and Linguistic Minorities; Professor (Dr.) Kancha Ilaiah, head of the political science department in Osmania University; and Admiral L. Ramdas, former chief of the Indian Navy.

The statement expresses the belief that anti–conversion laws 'seriously infringe and undermine religious freedom' and that they 'deepen and worsen religious divisions, conflicts and violence instead of enhancing the search for religious tolerance, harmony and mutual respect.' It condemns 'any unethical or improper conduct' by anybody propagating their faith, but suggests that anti–conversion laws in India 'both restrict religious and charitable activities and create ample opportunity for abuse and unjust prosecution.'

The MPs who signed the letter were: David Amess MP (Conservative), Joe Benton MP (Labour), John Bercow MP (Conservative), David Burrowes MP (Conservative), Alistair Burt MP (Conservative), Jeremy Corbyn MP (Labour), Jeffrey Donaldson MP (Democratic Unionist Party), David Drew MP (Labour), Rob Marris MP (Labour), John McDonnell MP (Labour), Andy Reed MP (Labour), Mark Pritchard MP (Conservative), Andrew Selous MP (Conservative), Caroline Spelman MP (Conservative), Gary Streeter MP (Conservative), Steve Webb MP (Liberal Democrat), CSW reported.