Can the Christians of India, who constitute barely 2.3% of the population, force Hindus to convert, more so when almost all authorities, from the local police constable, the Executive, Judiciary right up to the President of India, belong to the majority faith? This claim is prima facie absurd, averred Dr John Dayal, former National President of the All India Catholic Union, at a recent Conference in Lucknow.

It was convened by Magsaysay Awardee Dr Sandeep Pandey of the Socialist Party of India on August 8 at the Lucknow Press Club. A report on atrocities/victimisation of Christian preachers and pastors in Uttar Pradesh, as a consequence of the UP Protection of Religion Act 2021, was presented. Seventeen documented cases were reported. However, just a couple of months ago, Harsh Mander and Dayal presented a similar report at the Constitution Club of India, New Delhi, documenting over 450 such cases.

Two days before the Conference, Maharashtra became the 13th State to enact such a draconian law. It is worth examining some of the provisions of the UP Act. It states "The individual right of freedom of conscience and religion cannot be extended to construe a collective right to proselytise" (No 2). Notice that it starts on the note of any form of proselytisation, not just lawful forms. It uses the term "proselytise," which comes from the Greek word proselytes, meaning a newcomer to the religion.

The term proselytise is used in the New Testament to denote a Gentile who has accepted Judaism in its entirety, including external rituals like circumcision. It therefore becomes apparent that Christianity is the prime target of this Act. This is further borne out by the definition of a "Religious Convertor" that begins with a "Father" (No 2i).

Allurement is defined as "any gift, gratification, easy money or material benefits either in cash or kind" (2ai); "employment, free education in a reputed school run by any religious body" (2aii); "better lifestyle, divine displeasure or otherwise" (2aiii). By this definition, any and every act of kindness or service can easily be labelled as an "allurement." Ironically, with its various welfare schemes, including free rations, the government is the biggest user of allurements!

Further, any aggrieved person or his/her relative "is competent to file a First Information Report (FIR)" (No 4). This clause was widened to include any person whatsoever to be an "aggrieved person." As such, somebody in Mumbai can claim to be "aggrieved" by an act in Lucknow! This is absurd and contrary to basic norms of jurisprudence. Even in heinous crimes like murder or dacoity, only the affected person has the locus standi to file an FIR. Perhaps the UP Government considers even a legitimate act of religious conversion as a far more heinous crime than murder, rape or dacoity.

The Conference drew eminent speakers from across the country. Harsh Mander, who quit the prestigious and powerful IAS to serve society, was the Chief Guest. He subsequently formed the Karwan-e-Mohabbat (Caravan of Love) to promote peace and communal harmony. He said that the Constitution of India gave every citizen an unfettered right to practice and propagate their faith. He also shared his experience of serving the tribal community in Chhattisgarh. They were simple and innocent people. Now they have been brainwashed into hatred for Christian tribals, giving calls for social boycott and even denial of burial.

Dayal stated that the discrimination against the Minorities in India began with the Presidential order of 1950 that excluded non-Hindus from the benefits of reservations for Scheduled Castes.

Rev Anand Mathew, IMS from Varanasi, related the tragic story of a church in Fatehpur district. During a Maundy Thursday service, religious zealots locked the church and sent for the police, alleging religious conversion. However, the local police inspector was an honourable man and knew that this was a patently false allegation. He released the Christians after the goons had left. As a consequence, he was unceremoniously transferred out. His successor then went a step further, sealing the century-old hospital run by the church and arresting the staff. It took years to get justice from the Supreme Court. Justice delayed is justice denied.

Dr Roop Rekha Verma, former Vice Chancellor of the Lucknow University, and a champion of human rights, said that she had not come to the Conference out of any special love for the Christian community. She loved them just as she loved the others. She was speaking because she felt that this Act was a gross violation of basic human rights.

Dr Donald d'Souza, spokesperson of Lucknow Diocese, shared his experience of studying in Rome and visiting several countries. People admired India's rich diversity and spiritual legacy. Now those same people ask him, "What has happened to your country in recent years?"

Adv Saluddin Shibu said that this Act was not just being misused; it was actually an act of institutionalised oppression against a particular community and said that the Socialist Party of India stood against all forms of social oppression.

The writer was also asked to share my thoughts.

Census of India data shows that the Christian population of India has remained static from 1951 till the last one in 2011, at 2.3%. The vast majority of our countrymen appreciate the good work done by Christians. Yet there is a niggling doubt about why we insist on evangelisation.

Earlier this was motivated by the erroneous belief that the unbaptised were all going to hell. However, in 1965 Vatican II clearly stated that even those who have not yet reached an explicit knowledge of God can be saved by God's grace (cf Lumen Gentium 16). Now our evangelisation is motivated by sharing the goodness that we have experienced.

I gave the example of the man who ate the famous Agra petha (ash gourd preserve), using my Hindi couplet "Baap khaya petha, Yaad aaya beta" (the father savoured the sweetness and instantly thought of sharing it with his loved ones). In like manner, having tasted the amrit (nectar) of Jesus' love, we have the desire to share it with others, as there is greater joy in sharing.

Vatican II clearly stipulates, "The Church strictly forbids forcing anyone to embrace the faith, or alluring or enticing people by unworthy means" (Ad Gentes 13).

Jesus himself says that. "You travel over sea and land to make a single proselyte, and anyone who becomes one you make twice as fit for hell as you are" (The Gospel according to Matthew 23:15). The point here is that we are doing a disservice if we make people or communities Christian when we are not in a position to protect their basic rights. This is why the Bible also cautions that "There is a time for everything ... for keeping silent and a time for speaking" (The Book of Ecclesiastes 3:1,7). We need to remember the adage, "Discretion is the better part of valour," especially in adverse circumstances like today.

The government openly shows a discriminatory and biased attitude. The Chief Minister of UP was showering rose petals on a particular sect the very same day. Why couldn't he do the same for Muslims going on Haj or pilgrims to Jerusalem? The government blocks highways and diverts traffic for several days to facilitate this sect, but makes a fuss to grant permission for other faiths to take out a procession.

A church built on private land in my neighbouring district of Kanpur was bulldozed because the plans were not sanctioned. Several Muslim religious places have also been demolished. However, when the Allahabad High Court ordered the demolition of illegal temples built on government land or public places, the government just twiddled its thumbs. This is biased and discriminatory behaviour that does not behove a constitutionally elected government in a secular country.

At the end of the Conference, the Socialist Party of India moved a resolution seeking the immediate withdrawal of this unjust and discriminatory UP Act. The Conference was compered by Meenakshi Martin Singh and Rajiv Yadav, and presided over by veteran Advocate Mohammad Shoaib.

The moot question remains unanswered. Who is offering allurements? Who is using force and fraud to browbeat others into submission? Certainly not the minuscule Christian community in India. The country needs to answer these questions dispassionately.