INDIA Uttar Pradesh tightens anti-conversion law, Christians concerned

In India’s most populous state – governed by the Hindu nationalist BJP – sentences of up to life imprisonment will be imposed for this crime, which is often used to attack minorities. The National Council of Churches: “The Indian Constitution is being violated.” Father Mathew told : “In Uttar Pradesh there are already at least 28 Christians languishing in prisons because of their faith.”

Lucknow () – Uttar Pradesh, India’s most populous state – whose local government is headed by Hindu monk Yogi Adityanath (pictured), one of the most prominent members of the BJP, the nationalist party of Prime Minister Narendra Modi – has further tightened its anti-conversion law. A measure that is deeply worrying to local Christian communities, given the numerous episodes of intolerance and intimidation by the most extremist fringes of the Hindutva movement that accompany such regulations.

The Uttar Pradesh Prohibition of Unlawful Conversions of Religion (Amendment) Bill, 2024, provides for tougher penalties, including life imprisonment, for fraudulent or forced conversions. It was passed by the state assembly on July 30. The National Council of Churches in India (NCCI) has come out against the new law, in a note signed by its general secretary, the Rev. Asir Ebenezer. “It increases the maximum sentence from 10 years to life imprisonment, allows anyone to file a complaint and complicates the process of release on bail,” he writes. “We oppose this law as it violates the provisions of the Indian Constitution. Conversion itself is not a crime, unless it is induced by undue influence, misrepresentation or coercion, which can only be claimed by the victim.”

The National Council of Churches of India also notes how this law grants “broad authority to officials and any third party that could be misused to target individuals or specific communities on the basis of religious prejudice.” This creates “the risk of increased harassment and criminalization of peaceful religious practices, including Christian baptism.” Overall, it creates “a climate of mistrust and division, which threatens to aggravate inter-communal tensions and undermine religious harmony.” Hence the call to the government of Uttar Pradesh to “reconsider this law,” because “it is essential to uphold the values ​​of freedom, equality and respect for all people, regardless of their religious affiliation.”

From Varanasi, Father Anand Mathew, a Catholic priest and human rights activist, also told : “This measure is very disturbing. Under the previous law, only the victim or his relatives could file a complaint with the police. Now anyone with a false complaint can put any Christian behind bars, even for life. Currently, in Uttar Pradesh there are at least 28 Christians, mostly evangelical pastors, languishing in prison because of their faith.”