By Thomas Scaria
Mangaluru, June 15, 2023: Archbishop Peter Machado of Bangalore on June 15 commended the Karnataka government for repealing the controversial Anti-Conversion law, enforced by the previous Hindu nationalist government.
“On behalf of the Christian Community, I express my profound gratitude and satisfaction towards the government of Karnataka for its decision to repeal the anti-conversion bill,” the archbishop says in a press statement issued after the state cabinet decided to withdraw the Act.
Karanataka’s Congress led government, which defeated the Bharatiya Janata Party, June 15 decided to repeal the anti-conversion law and proposed to take steps to officially remove the law in the state legislative assembly’s next session starting July 3.
The Anti Conversion Bill, also known as the Karnataka Protection of Right to Freedom of Religion Act, 2022, was enacted, ignoring opposition from the Congress party and others, including Archbishop Machado.
The anti-conversion laws in Karnataka and other states have led to an increase in attacks on Christians. They have also fueled doubts, mistrust and disharmony between communities, lamented the archbishop, who heads the Catholic Church in Karnataka state.
“I acknowledge that the repeal of this controversial bill serves as a validation of the consistent stand taken by the Church and the community,” asserts the archbishop who points out that the legislation was passed despite several appeals by the Christian community.
It was not only detrimental to the individual’s freedom of religion but stood in direct contradiction to Article 25 of the Indian Constitution, he explained.
Jesuit Father Cedric Prakash, a human rights and peace activist, welcomed the Karnataka government move “as a great step to restore freedom enshrined in the Indian constitution.”
“The scrapping of the draconian anti- conversion law by the Karnataka Government is a great step forward in safeguarding the Constitutional rights of the citizen of the country,” he told Matters India.
The Jesuit priest, who serves the Church in Gujarat, western India, says the anti-Christian law is “blatantly violative of Article 25 of the Constitution which guarantees one the freedom to embrace the religion of one’s choice.”
He requested other BJP-ruled states scrap similar laws immediately or “get overthrown in forthcoming elections as it happened in Karnataka.”
The Karnataka cabinet also decided to remove school textbook lessons on K B Hedgewar, founder of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, and others. The cabinet also made it mandatory to read the Preamble of the Constitution in all schools and colleges whether are managed by the government or private parties.
The act prohibited unlawful conversion from one religion to another by misrepresentation, force, undue influence, coercion, allurement or by any fraudulent means.
It proposed imprisonment up to 10 years and a fine not less than 50,000 rupees. The act also made provisions for the accused to pay up to 500,000 rupees as compensation to those he converts. In cases of mass conversion, the punishment is a 3 to 10-year jail term and a fine of up to 100,000 rupees.
The offence under this act is non-bailable and cognizable. The act mandates that persons who wish to convert to another faith shall give a declaration in a prescribed format at least 30 days in advance to the district magistrate.
“The Christians will remain hopeful about a smooth transition and the complete withdrawal of the anti-conversion bill,”, said Archbishop Machado, hinting about the complicated formalities involved in repealing an existing law.
“However, this step will surely contribute to fostering an atmosphere of religious harmony, tolerance, and respect for all faiths in the state,” he added.
‘conversion from one religion to another by misrepresentation, force, undue influence, coercion, allurement or by any fraudulent means.’ so was this enforced in a way that actual conversions of the heart were treated as if they were done under force? Otherwise I don’t see what would be wrong with it.