Anti–conversion bill proposed in Jharkhand worries Christian organizations

Ranchi – The anti–conversion bill proposed by the government of Jharkhand is worrying the local Christian community and has prompted Christian organizations worldwide to raise voices of concern.

According to Todd nettleton of Voice of the Martyrs, the legislation supposedly aimed to protect the interest of the local tribals, was “an area of concern.”

"The idea of the bill is that nobody can be converted through enticement or through bribery or through paying them off which is a good thing,” Mission News Network (MNN) quoted him as saying. However, “The sad thing is what this bill will be used for is to harass Christian ministries who are reaching people simply with the message of the Gospel," he added.

According to Nettleton, the legislation could have a 'chilling effect' on evangelistic work and going by the precedence set by the anti–conversion laws promulgated in some other Indian states as well as in Sri Lanka, “it will likely have a fine associated maybe with a first offense, and could eventually, with repeated offenses, lead to jail time."

In Jharkhand, out of a total population of 27 million, Christians comprise less than 3 percent. However, Christian missionaries are very active in the region, specially amongst the tribals that comprise nearly one–fourth of the population.