The government of Rajasthan State, India, which is ruled by the pro-Hindu Bharatiya Janta Party (BJP), approved the draft of a new anti-conversion law. In 11 other Indian states, laws of the same nature exist to, in theory, prevent forced religious conversions. In reality, these laws are often used to target minority religions in the Hindu majority communities.

According to the new law, forced conversion would be punishable with up to ten years in jail. It also says that whoever wants to convert has to submit a form 60 days in advance to the district magistrate, who will then decide whether the case can be considered forced conversion.

Church leaders and Christian activists criticised the law’s enactment and pointed out its dangers. Bishop Joseph Kallarackal of Jaipur said that without discussing the bill with legal experts, it would be too early to comment on such a sensitive topic. Christian activists condemned the law, saying that it goes against the Indian constitution that gives the right to every citizen to practice any religion of their choosing. Furthermore, claiming that the law would create tension and would lead to division between religious communities.

“The new law threatens to aggravate communal tensions and undermine India’s diverse religious harmony,”

said Minakshi Singh, a Christian activist. A.C. Michael, president of the Federation of Catholic Associations of the Archdiocese of Delhi, called the enactment of the law politically motivated. If the state legislature passes the bill, Rajasthan will be the 12^th state of India to have such regulation.

Source: UCA News