ASIA NEWS REPORT:
by Nirmala Carvalho
The priests denounced by the anti-conversion law of the State. For Fr. Cedric Prakash the allegations are "unfounded, misleading and malicious: they are all children of Catholic families." New anti-Christian attacks by Hindu ultra-nationalists in Madhya Pradesh: three arrests in Chindwara and thousands of people in prayer attacked in Barwani.
Mumbai (AsiaNews) - Accusations have been made of the forced conversions of 32 children and teenagers who have celebrated First Communion and Confirmation in Gujarat. In Anand district local authorities have opened an investigation into the Catholic priests of the two communities in the area of Khambhat. The complaint comes from Petlad association for human rights under the Gujarat Freedom of Religion Act 2008, the state anti-conversion law. For Fr. Cedric Prakash S.J., President of the Gujarat United Christian Forum for Human Rights, these accusations are "unfounded, misleading and malicious."
"The children - the Jesuit told AsiaNews - come from Catholic families, and the 'ceremonies' mentioned in the complaints are the traditional sacraments of First Communion and Confirmation. Clearly the draconian anti-conversion law in Gujarat is not applicable in these cases. "
For Sajan George, president of the Global Council of Indian Christians (GCIC), "the rhetoric of Hindutva is now spreading like a virus. This constant propaganda pushing the ultranationalist Hindu defenders against forced conversion of the missionaries, and every day the Christian community is more vulnerable. extremists enjoy political protection, which gives them full license to carry out their attacks with the knowledge that the victims, not aggressors, will be arrested. As was the case recently in Madhya Pradesh. "
The president of the GCIC refers to two incidents that occurred on March 25 last in different districts of the state. In Chindwara, police arrested three Christians on charges of forced conversion. The agents have registered complaints against Harichan Varti, Mayaram Padame and Santaram Parteti under various sections of the Criminal Code, including the Madhya Pradesh Freedom of Religion Act 1968.
In Barwani district, Hindu nationalists raided a prayer service, attended by a thousand Christian faithful. The second day the local police asked the organizers to clear the area. The Christians, however, presented the regular permits, and agents then allowed to resume the service.
Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh are among the six Indian states that have anti-conversion laws. The others are: Arunachal Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Himanachal Pradesh and Rajasthan. However, Article. 25 of the country's constitution guarantees religious freedom as a fundamental right, including the right to practice, disseminate and change one's beliefs. Legal experts consider these laws ambiguous and useless, since art. 295A of the Indian Penal Code already provides severe penalties for those committing "deliberate and malicious acts, intent to offend religious feelings or any class, by insulting its religion or religious belief."
http://www.asianews.it/news-en/Gujarat,-allegations-of-forced-conversions-of-First-Communion-32-children-24376.html
by Nirmala Carvalho
The priests denounced by the anti-conversion law of the State. For Fr. Cedric Prakash the allegations are "unfounded, misleading and malicious: they are all children of Catholic families." New anti-Christian attacks by Hindu ultra-nationalists in Madhya Pradesh: three arrests in Chindwara and thousands of people in prayer attacked in Barwani.
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Mumbai (AsiaNews) - Accusations have been made of the forced conversions of 32 children and teenagers who have celebrated First Communion and Confirmation in Gujarat. In Anand district local authorities have opened an investigation into the Catholic priests of the two communities in the area of Khambhat. The complaint comes from Petlad association for human rights under the Gujarat Freedom of Religion Act 2008, the state anti-conversion law. For Fr. Cedric Prakash S.J., President of the Gujarat United Christian Forum for Human Rights, these accusations are "unfounded, misleading and malicious."
"The children - the Jesuit told AsiaNews - come from Catholic families, and the 'ceremonies' mentioned in the complaints are the traditional sacraments of First Communion and Confirmation. Clearly the draconian anti-conversion law in Gujarat is not applicable in these cases. "
For Sajan George, president of the Global Council of Indian Christians (GCIC), "the rhetoric of Hindutva is now spreading like a virus. This constant propaganda pushing the ultranationalist Hindu defenders against forced conversion of the missionaries, and every day the Christian community is more vulnerable. extremists enjoy political protection, which gives them full license to carry out their attacks with the knowledge that the victims, not aggressors, will be arrested. As was the case recently in Madhya Pradesh. "
The president of the GCIC refers to two incidents that occurred on March 25 last in different districts of the state. In Chindwara, police arrested three Christians on charges of forced conversion. The agents have registered complaints against Harichan Varti, Mayaram Padame and Santaram Parteti under various sections of the Criminal Code, including the Madhya Pradesh Freedom of Religion Act 1968.
In Barwani district, Hindu nationalists raided a prayer service, attended by a thousand Christian faithful. The second day the local police asked the organizers to clear the area. The Christians, however, presented the regular permits, and agents then allowed to resume the service.
Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh are among the six Indian states that have anti-conversion laws. The others are: Arunachal Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Himanachal Pradesh and Rajasthan. However, Article. 25 of the country's constitution guarantees religious freedom as a fundamental right, including the right to practice, disseminate and change one's beliefs. Legal experts consider these laws ambiguous and useless, since art. 295A of the Indian Penal Code already provides severe penalties for those committing "deliberate and malicious acts, intent to offend religious feelings or any class, by insulting its religion or religious belief."
http://www.asianews.it/news-en/Gujarat,-allegations-of-forced-conversions-of-First-Communion-32-children-24376.html
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