Gujarat, allegations of forced conversions of First Communion 32 children
Mumbai
(AsiaNews) - Accusations have been made of the forced conversions of 32
children and teenagers who have celebrated First Communion and Confirmation in Gujarat. In Anand district local authorities have opened
an investigation into the Catholic priests of the two communities in the area
of Khambhat. The complaint comes from Petlad association for human rights under
the Gujarat Freedom of Religion Act 2008, the state anti-conversion law. For Fr.
Cedric Prakash S.J., President of the Gujarat
United Christian Forum for Human Rights, these accusations are
"unfounded, misleading and malicious."
"The children - the Jesuit told AsiaNews
- come from Catholic families, and the 'ceremonies' mentioned in the complaints
are the traditional sacraments of First Communion and Confirmation. Clearly the
draconian anti-conversion law in Gujarat is
not applicable in these cases. "
For Sajan George, president of the Global
Council of Indian Christians (GCIC), "the rhetoric of Hindutva is now
spreading like a virus. This constant propaganda pushing the ultranationalist
Hindu defenders against forced conversion of the missionaries, and every day the
Christian community is more vulnerable. extremists enjoy political protection,
which gives them full license to carry out their attacks with the knowledge that
the victims, not aggressors, will be arrested. As was the case recently in
Madhya Pradesh. "
The president of the GCIC refers to two incidents that occurred on March 25
last in different districts of the state. In Chindwara, police arrested three
Christians on charges of forced conversion. The agents have registered
complaints against Harichan Varti, Mayaram Padame and Santaram Parteti under
various sections of the Criminal Code, including the Madhya Pradesh Freedom of Religion Act 1968.
In Barwani district, Hindu nationalists raided a prayer service, attended by a
thousand Christian faithful. The second day the local police asked the
organizers to clear the area. The Christians, however, presented the regular
permits, and agents then allowed to resume the service.
Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh are among the six
Indian states that have anti-conversion laws. The others are: Arunachal Pradesh, Chhattisgarh,
Himanachal Pradesh and Rajasthan. However, Article. 25
of the country's constitution guarantees religious freedom as a fundamental
right, including the right to practice, disseminate and change one's beliefs. Legal
experts consider these laws ambiguous and useless, since art. 295A of the
Indian Penal Code already provides severe penalties for those committing
"deliberate and malicious acts, intent to offend religious feelings or any
class, by insulting its religion or religious belief."
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10/11/2020 16:47
23/01/2020 19:12
