The history of religious proselytization suggests that there are very few religions, of course not Hinduism, that use their expansionist & predatory nature to convert people. The predatory religious communities use the provisions of Article 25 to convert Hindus. The Constitutional provisions have been weaponized by the missionaries to ‘propagate’ their religions. To counter this menace, many States are making anti-conversion laws and this has begun giving stomach ache to some religious groups.
Against the Anti Conversion Law
According to the report published in The Times of India, the AICU (All India Catholic Union), an organization follower of the Roman Catholic Church has determined to challenge the anti-conversion laws passed by states in courts.
AICU national president Lancy D Cunha citing the constitutional mandate to convert people said that “the AICU, along with other religious groups and members of the civil society, would challenge the anti-conversion laws passed by various states as they go against the letter and spirit of the Indian Constitution”.
Further, terming the Anti-Conversion Laws provocative steps he said “in the garb of protecting freedom of religion, these anti-conversion laws have only helped empower hoodlums, vigilantes and political leaders at villages, small towns and district to terrorize minority communities their clergy and institutions”.
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Anti Conversion Laws
It is pertinent to mention here that to counter the menace of religious conversions, various State governments have passed anti-conversion laws. Most of the law seeks to prohibit any person from converting or attempting to convert, either directly or otherwise, another person through forcible or fraudulent means, or by allurement or inducement.
Recently, the Karnataka government passed an ordinance against the forceful conversion in the state. Karnataka’s anti-conversion law, The Karnataka Protection of Right to Freedom of Religion Act, 2021 seeks to provide for the protection of the right to freedom of religion and prohibition of unlawful conversion from one religion to another by misrepresentation, force, undue, influence, coercion, allurement or by any fraudulent means.
Section 5 of the Act defining the punishment states “whoever contravenes the provisions of the act shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term of three years but which may extend to five years and shall also be liable to a fine of rupees twenty-five thousand”.
Further, Section 8 of the Act set the procedure to convert and states “one who desires to convert his religion, shall give a declaration in Form-1 at least thirty days in advance to the District Magistrate or the Additional District Magistrate specially authorized by the District Magistrate in this regard of his residing district or place of birth within the state”.
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Proselytization by weaponizing Constitutional mandate
Article 25 of the Indian constitution provides the freedom of propagation of religion to ‘all persons’. This means any religious community can persuade others to follow their religion. The ‘persuasion’ & the ‘forceful conversion’, the two ways of proselytization of religion is followed by the religious missionaries to convert people.
The predatory religious communities use the provisions of Article 25 to convert Hindus. In a way, the Constitutional provisions have been weaponized by the missionaries to ‘propagate’ their religions. Although some states have made laws against forceful conversion but not able to stop the conversion.
Article 25 (1) mandates that “subject to public order, morality, and health and to the other provisions of this Part, all persons equally entitled to freedom of conscience and right to freely profess, practice and propagate religion”.
The propagation of one’s religion has been controversial since its inception. It allows the communication of religious ideas and persuades people to learn & attract to the religion. During the constituent assembly debate, the matter was also raised but citing the principle of freedom of speech and expression, the propagation of one’s religion was recognized as a fundamental right.
It remains the harsh truth that under the veil of constitutional mandates, predatory evangelist religion runs the international racket of conversion. Using the very thin line between the forceful conversions and the persuasive conversions, religious missionaries continue with their nefarious agenda. But the explicit provision against unlawful conversion would somewhat halt such illegal activities. That’s why these groups have started to raise concerns and try to give constitutional sermons.
