Human rights groups concerned over new law in Gujarat

The Gujarat Religious Freedom Act, which came into effect, last month, has caused serious concern among Human Rights Groups who are afraid the law will apparently curb the religious freedom of the people.

The state's legislative assembly passed the "Gujarat Religious Freedom Act," an anti–conversion law, in 2003. But it remained dormant until April 1, when they finally formalized the rules for its implementation.

Individuals convicted of "forced" conversion could receive up to three years in jail according to rules of implementation framed by the Bharatiya Janata Party.

Anyone wishing to convert will have to tell the government why they were doing it and for how long they had been following the religion that they were renouncing. Failing to do so, will declare them offenders and be prosecuted under criminal laws.

Christian Solidarity Worldwide’s Advocacy Director, Alexa Papadouris, said: “This law is extremely intrusive and entirely at odds with India’s avowed respect for human rights, including the right to freedom of religion.”

“It allows for substantial interference into the private process of an individual’s conversion by a state government known for its extremist Hindu nationalist credentials."

“The requirement to explain the reasons for conversion to potential hostile officials is a significant block to religious freedom, and the authority given to District Magistrates to deny permission for a conversion ‘ceremony’ is completely unacceptable,” he said.

The Gujarat government had taken up the legislation a month after revoking an amendment bill, the Gujarat Freedom of Religion (Amendment) Bill of 2006, which was opposed by Gujarat Gov. Nawal Kishore Sharma, due to which it never came into effect.

Mr Papadouris further appealed the Gujarat government "to immediately repeal this law" and urged the International community to condemn the anti–conversion law.

The maneuvering law has already been activated fully in Orissa, Madhya Pradesh, Chattisgarh, Himachal Pradesh.