Infomercial in movie theatres warns against conversions in Gujarat

New Delhi – In a move that has taken the Christian community in Gujarat by surprise, the Mumbai–based Indian Infotainment Media Corporation (IIMC) has begun screening an infomercial in movie theatres in Vadodara, Gujarat, and elsewhere, that warns against the perils of religious conversions.

The questionable, short “public service” clip, which the Christians claim, target their community, is being screened in every movie hall preceding the feature film.

The infomercial itself is very strange. It begins with a scene that shows two dogs fighting in the street with a voice in the background saying, “You cannot change their nature.”

In the next scene, a cow grazes quietly in a green field while the voice continues, “You cannot make this cow a non–vegetarian.” Finally, the scene goes black, and then suddenly a voice booms out loud, “So why attempt to change someone’s religion?”

What follows next is most shocking. The clip shows a portion of the text of the Gujarat State Freedom of Religion Act of 2003, which prohibits conversion “by the use of force or allurement or by fraudulent means.”

According to the draconic law, would–be converts need permission from district officials before they convert. Priests or religious officials must also contact district authorities before a conversion takes place. Failure to comply with these requirements can lead to imprisonment for up to four years and imposition of a maximum fine of Rs. 100,000.

In spite of the controversy the infomercial has stirred up, Devendra Khandelwal, chief executive officer of the IIMC, remains unfazed. “I don’t understand why people are making such a fuss when [the film] is just repeating what the law says,” he said, speaking to Christian Today.

Khandelwal, who is also the president of the Indian Association of Producers, Artists and Technicians of Short Films and Television Programs, said the “public service” clip was made to “educate and spread awareness” among the movie–goers about the law.

"We produce several short films of social relevance. We have even tied up with about 600 theatres and multiplexes all over India to screen these films," he said, speaking over the phone from Mumbai.

Asked about this particular infomercial on conversion, he said, "I have made a film based on the existing laws on conversion. The film actually educates the audience about our own law.”

“Moreover, I want to convey … that conversion from one religion to another, either by force or fraud, is illegal and one can be punished,” he said.

IIMC has agreements with some 600 theaters throughout India to screen films, he added.

However, many Christian leaders dispute with Khandelwal’s approach in “educating” the people of Gujarat as the anti–conversion law is yet to come into effect in the state.

On June 30, the Gujarat High Court rejected a petition lodged in 2003 by the All India Christian Council (AICC) and a Buddhist organization, the Buddha Gaya Mahabodhi Vihar, which challenged the constitutional validity of the state anti–conversion law.

According to news sources, the High Court ruled that the petition was premature since the law had not yet been implemented.

“The screening of the film is totally unlawful, and it is misguiding the people of Gujarat…the anti–conversion law has still not come into effect,” said Samson Christian, joint secretary of the AICC.

Till date, only four states in India have passed laws to combat “unethical” or “forced” conversions. Madhya Pradesh passed the first definitive anti–conversion law in 1966; Orissa in 1967; Arunachal Pradesh in 1978; and Tamil Nadu in October 2002. However, Tamil Nadu scrapped its anti–conversion laws following the defeat of the Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party in the 2004 Lok Sabha elections.

The Gujarat state officials said they knew nothing about IIMC’s “public service” film, the national daily Times of India reported. “We had not given any contract for such a film. The Anti–Conversion Bill passed in the Assembly is pending for ratification,” they said.

Cinema staff in Vadodara refused to comment anything more on the issue other than the fact that the IIMC gave them the infomercial for free as a tool to raise awareness of the state anti–conversion law.

"This film was made by Mumbai–based Indian Infotainment Media Corporation (IIMC). We are asked to play it in our theatres and do not get a single penny from it," said Giri Sharma, marketing manager of Inox at Vadodara.

"IIMC sends us several films based on social issues and we screen it in our multiplexes," said Deepa George, public relations manager of Inox.

According to laws governing the media, All Indian cinemas are required to show documentary films before they screen full–length movies, but the requirement is largely ignored. When a short film is shown, the producer earns one percent of the earnings from cinema attendance.

Meanwhile, the screening has evoked protests from several NGOs in Mumbai and a few in Gujarat and New Delhi. Many believe that Khandelwal’s “pet” project is backed by Hindu fundamentalist outfits but until it can be proved, it appears that the screening will continue on, much to the chagrin of the Christian community in Gujarat.

Gujarat, lying on the border of India and Pakistan has a long history of witnessing sectarian violence with Hindu extremists targeting Christians and Muslims. In 2002, a riot in Gujarat led to the killings of hundreds of Hindus and thousands of Muslims – an incident that drew voices of criticism and concern from Human Rights watchdogs worldwide.