Karnataka govt to introduce controversial anti-conversion law

Karnataka might be next in line to join seven other states that have adopted the controversial anti-conversion law.

In an interview to Organiser, the weekly mouthpiece of the Sangh Parivar, Minister of State for Law, Suresh Kumar, said there is a strong demand to introduce the anti-conversion law in Karnataka.

This, he said, would be introduced by examining the Tamil Nadu State where the law was introduced but withdrawn shortly.

The government "is set to frame Anti-Conversion Law as the Hindu innocents are getting converted to other religions," he said, adding "Poor and uneducated Hindus are becoming victims for the false propaganda against Hinduism and our government is planning to enact a law after studying the similar Anti-Conversion Act/Anti-Conversion Bill of various states."

Anti-conversion laws are now in force in five states – Gujarat, Orissa, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Himachal Pradesh, and they have been passed but are yet to be implemented in Arunachal Pradesh and Rajasthan states.

Anyone found guilty of forcing an individual to change religion can be punished with a two-year jail term, a fine of up to 25,000 rupees (US$560) or both under the Freedom of Religion Bill introduced in Himachal Pradesh.

The law also states that a person intending to change her or his religion should inform the government 30 days in advance. Failure to do so is also punishable.

Dr. Sajan K. George, national president of the Karnataka-based Global Council of Indian Christians (GCIC), expressed anguish over the reported plans to introduce the law.

Karnataka ruled by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) "recorded at least 112 anti-Christian attacks across 29 districts in 2008," and at least 10 more such incidents have been reported this year, George told Compass Direct News.

In September 2008, the Bajrang Dal in Karnataka's Mangalore state attacked over 30 prayer halls. 53 Christians were injured in the Dakshina Kannada district and parts of Udupi district.

Christians from several years have been protesting over the existing bills, which they claim has been 'misused' to arrest and imprison Church leaders on false charges.

Churches have been burnt, Christians murdered and their homes and properties razed to ground by Hindu radicals on allegations of "forced conversions" by missionaries.

When attacks in Bangalore synchronized with the Orissa violence, Church sternly refuted claims of conversions and affirmed, "it has never been proved in the Court of India."

The National Council of Churches in India earlier told Christian Today: "Church is against conversion. It is unethical and unchristian. We never believe nor recommend forceful conversions. It is plainly used to accuse Christians who are part of 'growing development' in this nation."

The Church of North India last November in a statement said: "The church is deeply concerned at the repeated allegations of forcible conversions. We always maintained these allegations to be false nonetheless a task force at the World Council of Churches is being set up to study the issue and settle the controversy once in for all."

It joined hands with National United Christian Forum - a united body consisting of CBCI, EFI and NCCI, to delve the allegations of forced conversions.