Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Bhopal (Agenzia Fides) - The state government of Madhya Pradesh despite objections from opposition parties has approved amendments to render more harsh an anti-conversion law already in force, causing widespread protests on the part of the state’s Christian and Muslim religious minorities.
The north eastern state of Madhya Pradesh is governed by the nationalist Hindu extremist Baratiya Janata Party which sways to requests of violent radical groups which embrace the hindutva ideology with the motto “one nation, one culture, one religion”.
According to the amended law a person wishing to change his or her religion must present a written petition to the local district judge a month beforehand. If they fail to do so they can be punished with a fine up to 1.000 Rupee or a prison sentence. A similar petition must be filed by the respect parish priest, pastor or imam required to give full identity information about the person involved or face a fine of 5,000 Rupees or 12 months in goal. When both the petitions have been lodged the police has to verify the credentials of the religious organisation in question and ascertain that the conversion is not the result of force or deception. .
Madhya Pradesh government said the amendments were necessary because the previous measures were ineffective. Whereas according to the opposition parties “the law violates the right to freedom of religion”.
“BJP aims to spread religious hatred and strike the Christian community”, said Congress Party member Jamuna Devi.
“Christians are regularly falsely accused by radical Hindu groups of proselytising and converting Tribals by force”, said Indira Iyengar, chairman of the Madhya Pradesh Christians Association.
Spokesman of the Catholic community in Madhya Pradesh Fr. Anad Muttungal recalled that faith is a private matter which concerns the individual conscience, a question in which the state cannot interfere. He added that the local Catholic community will try to contest the law’s legality. (PA) (Agenzia Fides 27/7/2006 righe 28 parole 283)
