Bengaluru: Several prominent citizens and intellectuals demanded the repeal of all anti-conversion laws in India.
The petition initiated by the National Solidarity Forum (NSF), a network of civil rights groups and individuals, has called for joining hands to defend the values enshrined in the Indian Constitution and protection of human rights of the minorities and other marginalised sections in India.
While maintaining that a new anti-conversion law is not necessary since the Constitution has enough provisions for the same, the signatories to the petition also stated that “wherever the anti-conversion law, ironically officially called Freedom of Religion Act, was passed, it became a justification for the persecution of the minorities and other marginalised identities”, said Prof Ram Punyani, convener, NSF.
Prof Ram Punyani explains the reason for the petition, “Pretext made is that Christian missionaries are converting by force, fraud, coercion or allurement. Population census shows a small decline in the percentage of Christians from 2.6 percent in 1971 to 2.3 percent in 2011.”
Co-convener Ajay Kumar Singh said, “A Dalit converted to Christianity or Islam loses the reservation and protection from the state,” adding, “The Dalit does not lose any reservation and protection if he or she converts to Sikhism, Jainism or Buddhism. It is a reality that the discriminatory Dalit identity does not change no matter which religion one belongs to.”
Vidya Dinkar, human rights activist and a core NSF team member said, “The law disrespects women, and places restrictions for a woman to choose her partner. It is conceived with a notion that women in India are not in a position to think on their own and act on their own. This law is highly patriarchal. It is not acceptable.”
Dr John Dayal, senior journalist, human rights activist and an NSF founder member, said, “The Anti-Conversion Laws are not just affecting the Christians alone, they are meant for further persecution on the Muslims, Dalits, Adivasis and women also in this country. They violate the basic tenets of the Indian Constitution and India’s secular heritage.”
Brinnele D’Souza from Centre for Health and Mental Health, School of Social Work, Tata Institute of Social Sciences said, “This law discriminates against certain religions. It is a violation of the principle enshrined in the Indian Constitution that all religions are equal. It is meant to strengthen religious conflicts and majoritarian nationalism in India. Moreover, it infantalizes the poor and gives the State power over matters that are deeply personal.” Web Desk
