Another Indian Province Enacts an "Anti-Conversion Law"

On February 20th, 2007, Governor Vishnu Sadashiv Kokje gave his assent to the Himachal Pradesh Freedom of Religion Bill, first proposed in 2006. This "Freedom of Religion" Bill was primarily the work of Hindu extremists in the country, who are trying to put a stop to the spread of Christianity in that country. Six other provinces in India have already passed similar bills.

Under the legislation, it is not technically a crime to be a Christian. However, it is a crime to convert another person to Christianity through "force" or "allurement".
Zealous Hindus are known to falsely accuse Christians of this illegal activity and use it as an excuse to attack Christians. When Hindus are accused of attacking Christians, they justify it by saying that the person was "forcibly converting" others, thus avoiding prosecution and bringing further legal trouble to the Christian.

Hindu nationalists are working to bring about a strictly Hindu State. In this State, other religions would be allowed to exist, but they would be decidedly subordinate in class and rank to the majority group: Hindus. Anti-conversion laws are fundamental to bringing about this ideal. Hindu extremists push the thought that Christianity is a Western tool being used to infiltrate and ultimately take over their country. They even go so far as to accuse Western Missionaries of using bribes and manipulation to convert poor and illiterate Indians.

Both political analysts, as well as Christians living in the country assert that persecution rises with every anti-conversion law that passes. As recently as February 8th, a Christian Evangelist was arrested for converting people to Christianity and, according to worthynews.com, he is being held in custody without formal charges. Several similar instances are on record of people being intimidated, threatened, forced out of cities and villages, beaten and imprisoned because of their Christian faith. Some places have become so hostile to Christianity that missionaries are not able to go there without risking their lives.

Here are a few examples of the specifics of this law:

1. Using the terms "divine displeasure" or ones like it, is illegal when talking to someone about conversion. Likewise, it is illegal to insinuate that converting will offer a person any type of "gift" or "benefit".

2. The law requires a citizen to inform the government 30 days prior to their conversion or face fines. There is no communication necessary if a person wishes to revert back to Hinduism.

3. A person converted by "unfair means" is not considered converted. However, the person who did the "converting" is subject to heavy fines and prison time. This punishment is intensified if the person who was converted was a minor, a woman, or an aboriginal.

It is obvious to the casual observer that the "Freedom of Religion" Bill is a farce which accomplishes exactly the opposite. Instead of fostering an environment in which different religions are tolerated and protected, it gives Hindu extremists the protection they need to attack and persecute people of other faiths.