Global Council of Indian Christians( GCIC )Condemns the Cunning Tactics of the Saffron Brigade to Introduce the Anti Conversion

ICC Note:

It seems that an anti-conversion law was recommended for the state of Manipur. This article condemns that recommendation. India has seen much violence against Christians, with anti-conversion laws being used as the excuse or “allowance” of such attacks. Freedom of Religion, something that is a constitutional right to all Indian citizens, would be restricted if such a law came into being.

06/28/2012 India (CPUI)- GCIC condemns the recommendation by the Indigenous People’s Forum to introduce the Manipur Freedom of Religion – the anti conversion law in Manipur. Various national and international human rights forums have already termed Anti Conversion laws as draconian laws that violate the fundamental and constitutional rights of fellow citizens in a country. Past experience of Christians in the country shows that it has been used as a licence for the Hindutva forces to persecute the Christians without any rhyme or reason
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This Anti Conversion law, we understand, was recommended during a one-day workshop on Lure and Proselytization and Constitutional Interpretation of Freedom of Religion, organized by the Indigenous People’s Forum at Imphal, the capital of Maniour on June 24.

As we know that Manipur has already suffered enough from the draconian law for six decades and the state at any cost cannot afford to have another draconian law. The Christian Council will oppose any forces attempting to turn Manipur into another state where the Hindutva forces would start operating without any restraint.

The Anti Conversion Laws in Orissa, Madhya Pradesh, and Chhattisgarh have been misused by the Hindutva forces to harass the minorities. The innocent members of minority religions have been harassed under these draconian laws. Now the religious fanatic groups in the State of Manipur are targeting to harass the innocent members of minority communities.

The Christian Council believes that the hidden tactics of the Hindutva forces could be behind the ideology of the Indigenous People’s Forum attempting to bring the anti conversion law in the state. The Christian Council cautions the people of Manipur to be alert against such tactics of the Hindutva forces attempting to destroy the peace and harmony that prevails now among the different communities in Manipur. The Hindutva forces have already poisoned very successfully the social fabric destroying peace and harmony among the different communities in the states of Gujarat and Orissa.

The freedom of religion is the fundamental and constitutional rights of every Indian citizen, which is also guaranteed by the Universal Declaration of the United Nations on fundamental rights. Everybody has the right to choose or reject the religion he or she likes or dislikes. The Christian Council also condemns any individual or groups involved in luring or forcing and fraudulently converting people from one religion to another.

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