Call for true religious freedom in India

Hyderabad

Speakers at a national seminar on Saturday expressed grave concern over “increasing cases of violence against Christians”, even as they alleged misuse of law to foist cases on members of this community.

“Religious Freedom in India: Reality or Dream?”, organised at the Centenary Baptist Church, by the Civil Rights Initiative Internationale (CRII), saw prominent speakers, including former civil servants, sharing their views. The seminar brought together intellectuals, legal experts, and policy makers, who laid emphasis on justice, equality, and true religious freedom.

K. Babu Rao, former IPS officer, and national president of CRII, recalled the case of an Adivasi pastor, Subhash Bhagel, whose son was unable to bury him in the village graveyard. His son had to move the apex court in an effort to get justice. “Is living as a Christian a crime? Enjoying the religious freedom guaranteed by the Constitution is our right,” he said.

Speakers also highlighted the “lack of religious freedom faced by Dalit Christians and Muslims” due to the 1950 Presidential Order, and urged that efforts should be made towards its repeal. They expressed concern over misuse of anti-conversion laws.

“We are Indians, and we will uphold the Constitution,” was the collective message. Recent incidents from Chhattisgarh and Uttar Pradesh were pointed out. In one incident, over 500 people were booked during a prayer service though they were not ‘converted’. In another, birthday cake cutting was labelled a Christian ritual.

Keynote speeches were delivered by advocates Tehmina Arora and Franklin Thomas Caesar, both of whom joined the seminar from Delhi. They shared their opinions on how legal systems have been affecting religious freedom in India. Former Chief Secretary of Andhra Pradesh Minnie Mathew was the Chief Guest.

Mr. Rao released a book titled “Swechha Nunchi Cherasala Loki” (From Freedom to Prison), written by journalist Suresh Pulugujju.