Stating that Christians are as much citizens of India as anyone else and deserve equal protection under the law, the statement says that the constitutional Court should have limited its focus to the criminal law aspect of the case rather than being swayed by “majoritarian religious considerations and making sweeping statements about a specific religious community.” Further, the statement says that the UCF is concerned that these observations could expose the Christian community to further persecution.

The UCF has also pointed out that Christians in several parts of India, including Uttar Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Manipur, and Rajasthan, face targeted violence. Analysing constitutional provisions, the statement says that the High Court failed to distinguish between voluntary and forced conversions and made several statements, such as:

• “It (conversion)is against the Constitutional mandate of Article 25.”
• “…such religious congregation should be immediately stopped where conversion is taking place and changing the religion of citizens of India.”
• “Unlawful activity of conversion of people of SC/ST castes and economically poor persons into Christianity is rampant throughout Uttar Pradesh.”
• “…it (Article 25) does not provide for conversion from one faith to another.”

Article 25 guarantees individuals the freedom to change their religion according to their conscience. The Court’s judgement suggests that conversion is against religious freedom, which contradicts various Supreme Court decisions upholding the right to change one’s faith. Additionally, the constitutional validity of several “anti-conversion” laws is currently under challenge before the Supreme Court.

“Despite no convictions for conversions via allurement in Uttar Pradesh, many cases have been filed under anti-conversion laws. In 2023, 733 hostile acts against Christians were reported to the UCF Helpline alone, and nearly half came from Uttar Pradesh. A People’s Union for Civil Liberties (PUCL) report titled Criminalizing Practice of Faith documented police collusion with self-described ‘Hindutva’ groups, noting frequent disruptions of Christian practices. Such mobs typically mobilise attackers, alert police about purported ‘forced conversions,’ and vandalise churches, recording and circulating videos of these actions. A petition calling for stringent measures against such vigilante groups remains pending before the Supreme Court.”

“Several ‘anti-conversion’ legislations mandate that only an affected person register a complaint. However, police often arrest Christians based on complaints from these self-ascribed “Hindutva” groups claiming prior knowledge of ‘forced conversions.’”

Article 14, a legal research group, has analysed over a hundred FIRs filed under the anti-conversion law in Uttar Pradesh and discovered that of these, 63 were based on third-party complaints, including 26 from organisations affiliated with the “Hindutva” political ideology. Researchers have documented how anti-conversion laws are used to target religious minorities. False cases can persist for years, justifying brutality and violence against Christians accused of conversion, violating their rights to life and liberty.

Despite the violent consequences we saw in Manipur after the communally coloured baseless statement of the Manipur High Court in W.P.(C) No. 229 of 2023, which was recalled after the Supreme Court’s observations, it is unfortunate that such incidents are repeated with impunity. Earlier in the murder case of Graham Stains, the Apex Court itself suo moto expunged the expression “Converting poor tribals to Christianity”, following public outcry and criticism from various quarters.

Given all these established precedents, the United Christian Forum has respectfully urged the Hon’ble Allahabad High Court to suo moto expunge the sweeping allegations made against the entire Christian community from the order dated July 1, 2024, considering the dangerous ramifications.

Related:

Allahabad High Court rejects bail plea in alleged conversion case; says Article 25 does not provide right to convert religion

Allahabad HC: Repeated rejection of police protection pleas of interfaith couples, here’s why this is problematic | CJP

Allahabad High Court quashes FIR against couple accused of ‘conversion’ accusations, upholds freedom of choice | CJP

Allahabad and Madhya Pradesh High Courts issue conflicting rulings on interfaith marriage under Special Marriage Act | CJP

Allahabad High Court stands firm on personal liberty interfaith marriage ruling | CJP

The post Allahabad HC’s recent judgement dubbed “saffron-tinged”, “fuelling fear among Christians,” says United Christian Forum appeared first on SabrangIndia.

“Hello, is this helpline for real?”

“Will you really protect us from these people who are threatening me and my family because we are Christians?”

“The local ‘dabang’ has come and told me he will break my house if I hold another prayer meeting. They are accusing me of converting the villagers, but we were just praying for everyone…”

These are some of the panicked calls that volunteers attending the United Christan Forum’s toll-free helpline number: 1-800-208-4545 get from Christians across India.  The helpline has received over 154 calls related to incidents of violence in 2021, the highest was January when 34 incidents were reported. Another high was in June when 28 such cases were reported. Then there are distress calls where the caller seeks advice on how to deal with threats and intimidation they are subjected to, because they are Chrstians, sometimes new to the faith. Almost all of them are too scared to approach the local police and report the harassment they face at the hands of right wing groups, and even from their neighbours and sometimes extended families who object to them practising Christianity.

“The relief in their voice when they talk to us is palpable. They often do not expect that someone will help them. Some even ask our coordinators to pray with them and give them emotional support,” a senior volunteer told SabrangIndia on condition of anonymity. The volunteers at this helpline are associated with various Christian Non Governmental Organisations (NGOs) and groups, and many are lawyers, and para-legal counsellors. 

According to the volunteers, “There are more violent incidents taking place than the actual number reported”. The local strongmen keep an eye out if someone is making a prayer hall next to his home on his plot, they create an issue. If the Christians gather for prayers in the house there is harassment by right-wing groups active in the same village or town. “We know there are many incidents happening in Haryana and Gujarat, but hardly any are reported to us,” said the volunteer, adding that it is an uphill task to get the caller to file police complaints. “We counsel them in distress. We give them emotional and legal support. We tell them their legal rights and the benefits of filing an FIR.” Some victims do give a written complaint to the police, but not all of them get an acknowledgment. Some complain just verbally to the police. However, according to the UCF, complaints on record remain around 30 percent. All other complaints are a mere intimation to the police. The helpline conversations often begin with the caller sharing extreme distress. “Then we advise them to go file a complaint with the police and the importance of the FIR,” said the volunteer.

Do the victims know the process of filing a complaint?

No. Many do not even want to know or lodge a formal complaint even when counselled to do so, they do not want to get into the hassle. Many say they have to live in the same neighbourhood amidst the same people, so are just letting police know what has happened and hope it doesn’t happen again. “I have to work very hard to convince them. Not all of them are convinced. I tell them it is important to complain because it helps prevent attacks on others as these people are likely to go find new victims. I often fail to convince them. Many cite the Bible and tell me their faith teaches them to forgive those who torment them. Others tell me they fear that the people will become more aggressive,” shared the distress helpline coordinator. The callers often say “police may not take action on my complaint, but they [the attackers] will come to know I went to the police. They will then get more violent.” Some are also advised by their relatives or pastor associations not to get involved with the police. So that is what they do. Until the next attack, or acts of harassment are unleashed again.

Then they are forced to make an emergency call to the police. The distress calls to this helpline come from across India, for example, UCF recorded 22 incidents of violence against Christians in the past six months from Chhattisgarh and Jharkhand, and 19 from Uttar Pradesh. Here most of the callers said they were attacked and accused of ‘conversion’ even though they were only holding prayer meetings, often in their own ‘house church’ a room or a shed earmarked for prayers. Those who attend are already believers. There is a pattern that the UCF volunteers have observed in places like Uttar pradesh. “The vandals come when the prayer meeting is on, beat up those praying and take them to the local police station,” said the coordinator adding, “Then it is alleged that the police keep the victims in the station, they reason that the angry crowds have to be calmed down. Sometimes they are charged under section 151 of the CrPc, which is on suspicion of breach of peace. A person cannot be detained for more than 24 hours here but we often are told of cases of illegal detentions which have gone beyond that. We have filed cases on behalf of many such people. The allegations of ‘conversions’ have been on the rise since last year. Since the anti-conversion law came into force.”

Most of the allegations are by local strongmen, neighbours, even some non Christian relatives of the victims and survivors. Most are provoked by ‘others’ who claim to be from right-wing groups. That is how the situation escalates.

Are the local issues involved?

In Jharkhand and Chhattisgarh, tribal Christian families are often told they do not have a right on their own lands after they have converted to Christianity, said the volunteer. These families, often economically deprived, are told they can’t farm their own plots of land, or even harvest the produce they have tended. They are denied access to common drinking water wells. The worst is that they are denied even burials of their deceased family members in the common burial grounds of the community. This is mental harassment, however, “If they don’t agree, physical violence can also take place,” said the UCF member. 

Similar patterns are also observed in Maharashtra. In Orissa many who are Christians are often told to leave the village. “There were hardly any calls from Odisha in the past, these have increased in the last six months or so. Their homes are also demolished. Recently our network has been strengthened and cases were obviously happening even before the news reached us,” he said.

In South India, the pattern of harassment is different, here “concerns” are raised over holding prayer meetings in house churches. “For example in Tamil Nadu there is a rule that if more than 50 people gather in your home, you must get permission from the authorities,” said the volunteers. Often it is the neighbours who object to ‘noise’ from the prayer meetings. There are also objections concerning land use and allegations of encroachment. “Often a notice of eviction or demolition is pasted on the house church, when two doors away a temple or even a mosque continue to function. The entire settlement / village is on the same land they say is government land. This is a common trend observed in Tamil Nadu and Telangana also,” said the volunteer.

According to a statement issued by UCF, around 152 incidents of mob attacks/violence were reported against Christians the past six months, 603 women were injured as well as 223 Tribals and 202 Dalits men and women. 18 incidents of damage to places of worship/ churches too were reported. Seven cases were filed under the Freedom of Religion Act so far this year. According to the UCF, “Though such laws in certain states have been in force since 1967 – over 50 years now – but till today, no one, not a single Christian has been convicted for forcing anyone to convert. Moreover, census after census have shown that Christian population remained 2.3 percent of India’s population of 136.64 Crores (2019).” 

Are the victims of violence forced to compromise?

A ‘compromise’ or settlement is often what even the local police push for, said the volunteer, rather than registering an FIR. Many complainants agree when the police ‘advise’ them to forget and forgive “this one time” and promise action of the right wing groups to do anything again. “The police say ‘we will look into it’ so people feel assured and do not file a complaint.”

The helpline observed one such compromise even in Delhi, where a Gideons pastor who was reportedly distributing tracks (booklets or pamphlets with biblical teachings) was roughed up and taken to the local police station. “He was allowed to leave after a while, and then did not want to pursue the matter or file a case. Another local pastor made a written complaint but it was too weak a complaint. Some right wing groups had protested outside his place during Easter. The man had felt intimidated. The pattern is that the right wing groups carrying out the harassment often put their photos and videos on social media,” said the UCF team member.    

Often the police at first instance also accuse the victims of “conversion”, said the volunteer who works closely with a team of lawyers. “We have asked the police if changing one’s religion is a crime, to which they suddenly change tracks and talk about forced conversion or conversion after luring people with promises of ‘benefits’,” he says. When reminded that they just said conversion, cops cite proof of Baptism. “But how is that forced conversion? Many such conversations happen. There is no proper definition of conversion, but the word is used to scare the victims themselves,” he said adding, “Counter FIRs are also filed. Even the procedure to convert for marriage is so complicated. It is called the Freedom of Religion Act, but its work is the opposite of freedom.”   

Other states which are witnessing violence against Christians for their faith according to the helpline records are: Karnataka (17 cases reported), Madhya Pradesh (15), Odisha (12), Maharashtra (9), Tamil Nadu (6), Bihar (6), Andhra Pradesh (4), Uttarakhand (3), Delhi (3), Gujarat (2), Telangana (1), West Bengal (1), Assam (1) and Rajasthan (1). Over 1,137 calls were attended to at UCF helpline, the callers are then helped so that their grievances reach the concerned authorities. According to UCF, the team of lawyers helped obtain release of 84 persons from detention, and 29 places of worship were “reopened or continue to have prayer services”. However, only  18 FIRs could be registered against the violence perpetrators.

How can a victim of right-wing violence even file a complaint

“We do offer that help and information,” said the volunteer. Each call is recorded and shared with the various organisations involved in this helpline. There are legal experts, and the team supports the victims from the first step to filing a complaint to fighting their cases in court. They are assured all help and legal support is for free. The UCF calls are attended by para-legal counsellors who have been trained, they then direct the queries to the lawyers in the team, who will then give the legal advice. Cases are taken up by various lawyers according to the jurisdiction. 

The UCF stated that its toll-free helpline number: 1-800-208-4545 was launched on January 19, 2015, “with the aim of upholding fundamental freedom and promotion of values of justice, liberty, equality and fraternity of India.” 

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The post “Help! I’m being threatened because I’m a Christian” appeared first on SabrangIndia.