Rajnath Singh: India’s BJP Eyes Anti-Conversion Law

11:15am
Chambria N. Brawley


With the onset of violence and widely felt tensions amongst Hindu and Christian native Indians, it now being proposed by hopeful elected national Bharatiya Janata party, that there will be legally mandated mass religious conversions, throughout the country, if they succeed in winning the upcoming election.

This attempt at silencing Christians voices, could lead to increased levels of friction between the India and U.S. due to recent violent attacks against Christians. Hindus argue largely in part that these Indian “castaways,” are being enticed by Christian missionaries to undergo such conversions; it provides them with more economic, social, and educational opportunities. BJP president, Rajnath Singh, stated that “missionaries are free to work in any part of the country, but mass conversion by force or handouts is not acceptable.”

As of now, five states have passed anti-conversion laws, with only the extreme wings of political factions insisting on a law from central government, which some believe may serve as the basis for Singh’s attempt at obtaining the general election.

This comes at time when Orissa, the eastern Indian state, had endured countless violent attacks, which have led to fatalities and homelessness and a result of the death of a Hindu leader.

Mr. Singh failed to elaborate on what guidelines would be implemented in a national anti-conversion law. Although there a are similar laws which have taken affect in neighboring states such as Gujurat, which requires individuals to apply to a magistrate a month before the conversion ceremony.

At a national level, this could cause outrage and opposition from the U.S., in that laws concerning religious freedoms have been discussed in recent months.

Not only are individuals being suppressed by physical means, now their voices and religious choices are being silenced as well. I don’t see how this will solve anything in that those who stand firm in their beliefs are likely to be persecuted, which only increases violence, not alleviating it. I am that much more thankful to be a citizen of the U.S. where I can stand firm in my religious beliefs without facing extreme opposition or persecution. This is the reality of Christians in India, and what is to come, remains unknown.


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