India Church welcomes move to review anti-conversion laws

(July 02, 2009) Church leaders in India have welcomed a promise by federal Home Minister P. Chidambaram to review so-called "freedom of religion" laws that restrict conversions in several states. Father M. D. Thomas, secretary of Indian bishops' commission for inter-religious dialogue said the move, reported by local media, was "appreciable." However, he said it was too early to comment, as details of the review have yet to emerge. Media reports said the federal ruling alliance, led by the Congress Party that came to power in May, wants to review the situation. The controversial laws make it punishable offence for anyone to change religion or perform a conversion ceremony without informing district authorities. The laws also have provisions to punish people who convert others using "force," "fraud" or "allurements." Christian leaders say these clauses target missioners since their social services programs could easily be construed as inducements to convert. Orissa in Eastern India, Madhya Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh, Gujarat, Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh and Himachal Pradesh have introduced the anti conversion laws. Father Thomas said the Church hopes those states where such laws are in force would "reconsider" their rationale as the Indian Constitution guarantees all citizens freedom of religion.