wfn.org | ACNS3379 Freedom of Religion Bill in Gujarat: Violating

["Anglican Communion News Service" <acnslist@anglicancommunion.org>]

ACNS 3379     |     INDIA     |     28 MARCH 2003 

Freedom of Religion Bill in Gujarat: Violating Religious Freedom

The National Council of Churches in India views the Bill being presented in the Gujarat Assembly today not as a step in enhancing and protecting the freedom of religion of the citizens but as an act of conscious and wilful harassment of the minorities, especially Christians, prohibiting them to practice their religious faith. Through this Bill the hate campaign of the Hindutva spearheaded by Modi will make another dent in the harmonious life of the Indian citizens.

 From the side of the Churches we can affirm that there are no forced conversions. We are at a loss to understand the relevance of such a bill when there are already provisions in the Constitution for punishing anybody who violates the rights of citizens by force. This Bill on the other hand is against the spirit of Indian Constitution and cutting at the roots of secular values. Every citizen in our country has the right to profess, practice and propagate one's own religion. One doesn't have to be born in one religion and die in the same religion. When one religion becomes oppressive one has the right to change the religion. Another use of this Bill will be for the Modi Government to distract the attention of the public from the deteriorating economic and social conditions of the State.

We urge the Christian leaders in Gujarat not to be intimidated by such wilful
acts of harassment but continue their good work in the areas of education,
medical care, rehabilitation work, building up peace and standing up boldly
against all oppressive systems of society even those inhuman structures
supported by religions. Church cannot compromise by giving up its sacred
duties of Holy Communion and Baptism. These sacraments are given only to
those who, in full freedom, opt to receive them. The question of force does
not arise at all. This freedom no law can take away.

Religion and Faith are matters of one's own inner and spiritual life. No
Government has any right to violate that birth right. The Churches in India
stand in solidarity with the minority communities in Gujarat and the large
number of Hindu brothers and sisters who uphold the freedom of Religion of
our citizens.

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