India (MNN) — While many Christians may express concerns about the world becoming more secular, in a recent conversation with Voice of the Martyrs Canada Director of HITHA (Hyderabad Institute of Theology and Apologetics) Reverend Sudhakar Mondithoka is praying for India to embrace secularism in the face of anti-conversion laws.
(Photo courtesy of Voice of the Martyrs Canada)
“We pray for India to become an example in maintaining the spirit of secularism, which in India means that all religions are respected equally,” said Reverend Sudhakar. “Yes, we respect people of all religions, and we respect their ability to think and analyze and discern the truth and receive it, because ultimately, it is truth that is going to triumph, and we want all our people, our fellow citizens, to be on the side of the truth.”
According to Reverend Sudhakar, anti-conversion laws were originally intended in the 1930s-60s by princely states in India to protect their Hindu culture and religion. However, after India became Independent in 1947, anti-conversion laws were ultimately rejected from being included in the country’s constitution. In 2015, it was decided the power to regulate anti-conversion legislation would belong to state legislature.
In 1967, Odisha became the first Indian state to pass anti-conversion laws. Currently, Rajasthan is set to become the 12th Indian state to have an anti-conversion law.
“They are supposed to protect the vulnerable sections of the society, like the untouchables, the Scheduled Caste people, the mountain dwellers, these Scheduled Tribes and women and minorities, girls and so on and so forth,” said Reverand Sudhakar. “So they sometimes, quite paradoxically, call these laws ‘protection of freedom to choose a religion bill’ or something like that. The problem with all these is that quite often, they are misused, and this whole idea of majoritarianism is becoming more prevalent than ever before in Indian society—the majority Hindu friends thinking that because they are majority, their religion should be, you know, given official status. And so their views should be accepted by all the minorities without raising any issues, and so on and so forth.”
Currently there are anti-conversion laws that do not allow religious symbols in educational institutions run by Christians or that do not allow nuns and priests in these institutions to wear religious garments. Rajasthan’s law would require individuals to notify officials of their plans to convert to another religion 60 days in advance.
“Things have gone to such an extent that they say even if you preach about hell, you are intimidating them. You are causing fear in them, and thus forcing them to accept Christian gospel,” said Reverend Sudhakar. “Or if you give a very good description of heaven, you are alluring them.”
These anti-conversion laws have resulted in persecution against Christians. They are falsely accused of bribing, coercing, or alluring, and in some cases are physically attacked. However, the country is seeing pushback against these anti-conversion laws.
“There is a case that has been going on in the Supreme Court of India, which is contending that these anti-conversion laws go against the spirit of Indian Constitution which very clearly says that every single individual has a right to freely choose a faith, his or her faith, then practice it, profess it and propagate it,” said Reverend Sudhakar.
“We pray that in all those places where discussions take place and decisions are made, there might be the spirit of justice ruling in their thinking and in their deliberations and decision making.”
Header photo courtesy of Voice of the Martyrs Canada
