Law Commission seeks feedback on conversion in India
(August 07, 2010) India’s law commission is seeking public feedback on religious
conversion procedures, a move some Christian leaders say is helpful for formulating
a national policy on the highly sensitive issue. The commission’s move came after
the Kerala High Court said last year that the Hindu Marriage Act of 1955 lacks “any
specific procedure” for conversions or re-conversions to Hinduism. The court was dealing
with a joint application of a Hindu man and Christian woman seeking dissolution of
their marriage at the time. The court said that while conversion to Hinduism can
take place, “the absence of any stipulations of law or specific recognized practices
to facilitate such conversion is causing great difficulties.” The Law Commission
of India recently posted a paper on its website seeking public opinion by August 20
on the kind of law or procedure that should be framed for establishing conversion.
The commission’s move is a “golden opportunity” for the Christian community to present
its suggestions and campaign for a national law that would respect individuals’ freedom
of religion, said Archbishop Leo Cornelio who is based in Bhopal, the Madhya Pradesh
state capital. Madhya Pradesh and four other Indian states have laws restricting
conversions. Some have clauses to punish conversions made without informing the state.
Archbishop Cornelio and other Church leaders have said that such laws are used to
accuse Christians of converting poor people. Meanwhile, Madhya Pradesh Isai Mahasangh
(grand assembly of Christians) launched a campaign on July 29 to mobilize public opinion
for a law that would prevent harassment of Christians.