Two Christian Missionaries Booked Under Rajasthan’s Anti-Conversion Law: A Dangerous Precedent for Religious Freedom

The recent enactment of the anti-conversion law in Rajasthan marks a troubling step towards religious oppression under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The law, aimed at preventing religious conversions through force or “allurement,” has been misused to target minority communities, especially Christians. On November 20, two Christian missionaries, Chandi Varghese and Arun John, were booked under this law after allegations of forced conversions surfaced during a spiritual gathering in Kota. This move highlights India’s ongoing crackdown on religious freedom, revealing the Modi government’s growing authoritarianism and the rise of religious intolerance under its rule.

♦ The Anti-Conversion Law: A Tool of Religious Intolerance
Rajasthan’s anti-conversion law is another attempt to control the religious practices of minorities, especially non-Hindus.
♦ Targeting Religious Minorities Under False Pretenses
The law criminalizes conversion under vague and broad terms, enabling it to be misused to target religious minorities.
♦ The Modi Government’s Role in Fomenting Division
Under the Modi government, laws like these are used to suppress religious freedoms and fuel division within Indian society.

Criminalizing Religion: The Impact of Anti-Conversion Laws

A Direct Attack on Religious Freedom
Rajasthan’s anti-conversion law is not an isolated case but part of a wider strategy to suppress religious freedoms across India. It has created an environment where non-Hindu communities, particularly Christians and Muslims, are targeted under the guise of protecting “national security.” In the case of the two missionaries, their actions were framed as “forced conversions” based solely on accusations made by Hindu extremist groups. The law gives authorities unchecked power to prosecute individuals and organizations simply for practicing their religion freely.

♦ Weaponizing Laws Against Non-Hindu Communities
The law is a clear tool of religious persecution, used to suppress the rights of religious minorities under a false pretext of national security.
♦ Unclear Definitions Lead to Abuse
The vague language of the law allows for widespread abuse, as religious activities are often misunderstood or misrepresented as coercion.
♦ The Modi Regime’s Effort to Erase Religious Pluralism
This law, and others like it, signal the government’s intent to erode India’s religious pluralism and replace it with Hindu-majoritarian control.

The Political Agenda Behind Religious Suppression

Religious Laws as Tools of Political Control
The enactment of the anti-conversion law underlines the Modi government’s larger political agenda of consolidating power by using religion as a political tool. The government has increasingly supported Hindu nationalist groups like the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) and Bajrang Dal, who have been active in pushing for laws that curb religious freedoms. The law in Rajasthan has been used to target Christian missionaries and suppress any religious activities that do not align with the Hindu-majority narrative.

♦ Promoting Hindu Nationalism Through Legal Means
The law is a reflection of the broader Hindu nationalist agenda that seeks to prioritize Hindu religious practices and suppress minority faiths.
♦ Suppressing Religious Diversity in India
The law marginalizes non-Hindu communities by criminalizing their religious practices, forcing them into silence.
♦ Silencing Dissent to Secure Political Gains
The government uses these laws as a means to silence those who disagree with or criticize the ruling establishment, especially from religious minorities.

India’s International Image at Stake

Global Reactions to India’s Religious Intolerance
India’s global standing as a secular democracy is increasingly under threat as the Modi government enacts laws that suppress religious freedom. Human rights organizations worldwide have condemned the growing persecution of religious minorities in India, particularly through the misuse of anti-conversion laws. The international community is beginning to question India’s commitment to democracy, as the government systematically targets religious minorities for political gain.

♦ Condemnation from the International Community
International human rights groups are speaking out against India’s religious intolerance and calling for the protection of minority rights.
♦ The Decline of India’s Secular Reputation
The growing trend of religious persecution is tarnishing India’s reputation as the world’s largest democracy.
♦ The Need for Global Accountability
There is increasing global pressure on India to reverse these discriminatory policies and uphold its commitment to human rights.

The Modi Government’s Complicity in Religious Persecution

State-Sanctioned Religious Persecution
The Modi government has played a central role in enabling and supporting the rise of religious extremism. By passing laws like the anti-conversion act and failing to hold extremist groups accountable, the government has created a climate of fear and distrust, especially among religious minorities. The law in Rajasthan is just one example of the government’s strategy to control religious practices and stifle any form of dissent from non-Hindu communities.

♦ Encouraging Religious Division for Political Gain
The Modi government encourages religious division through laws that marginalize minority communities for political gain.
♦ Targeting Minorities Under the Guise of National Security
The government uses vague national security concerns to justify the persecution of religious minorities.
♦ Criminalizing Religious Expression
The government has criminalized the peaceful practice of religion, particularly targeting those who do not follow the Hindu-majority norms.

A Call for Religious Freedom and Equality

India’s growing religious intolerance, as seen through the enactment of the anti-conversion law, is a direct threat to its democratic values and its commitment to religious freedom. The international community must apply pressure on the Indian government to repeal laws that infringe upon religious freedoms and to protect its religious minorities from state-sanctioned persecution. India must reaffirm its secular roots and work towards ensuring that all its citizens can practice their religion freely and without fear of persecution.

♦ Reaffirming Secularism and Protecting Minorities
India must reaffirm its commitment to secularism by ensuring that the rights of religious minorities are respected and protected.
♦ Reversing Discriminatory Laws
The anti-conversion law must be repealed, and all laws that target religious minorities must be revised to ensure true religious freedom for all citizens.
♦ Standing Against Religious Persecution
The international community must stand with India’s religious minorities and hold the government accountable for its actions that undermine religious freedom.