A law firm in Indore, Madhya Pradesh, successfully secured the release of 11 Christians detained since 2022 under anti-conversion laws. Known for its pro bono services, the firm announced this victory after two months of relentless effort.
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BHOPAL: A law firm based in Indore, Madhya Pradesh, successfully secured the release of 11 Christians who had been detained since 2022 under stringent anti-conversion laws. The law firm, renowned for offering pro bono services to the Christian community, announced this triumph in a recent news release.
The firm’s commitment to justice was evident as they tirelessly fought for the release of these individuals over a period of two months.
According to the press release-
“A pastor from Arunachal Pradesh, another from a northern state, and two local pastors from Khargone, Madhya Pradesh, were detained under anti-conversion laws following a viral video on social media in 2022.”
This incident highlights the pervasive influence of the Hindu-nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which governs both the federal government and the state of Madhya Pradesh.
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The release further detailed the external pressures faced by authorities, stating that-
“Opponents of the Christians pressured authorities through a Lok Sabha member of Parliament to ensure the pastors’ detention.”
This political maneuvering underscores the challenging environment for religious minorities in regions governed by BJP.
In another related case, the law firm tackled false charges brought against a jungle bandit-turned-Christian and six other believers associated with him.
The release elaborated-
“When the lower court ruled against the seven Christians, the law firm intervened to secure their release and clear their records.”
This action exemplifies the firm’s dedication to rectifying injustices and ensuring that wrongful accusations do not tarnish the records of innocent individuals.
The press release also highlighted a third case, where radical Hindus targeted a high-caste Hindu who had converted to Christianity, leading to his arrest. When the law firm intervened to challenge his detention, the district superintendent of police escalated the situation by filing another case against the man under the local goonda act. This act typically targets individuals known for violence, public drunkenness, sexual crimes, and habitual counterfeiting or smuggling.
The release stated,-
“When the law firm challenged his detention, the district superintendent of police filed another case against the man under a local goonda act.”
Cases involving religious conversions are a contentious issue in India, where numerous states have implemented stringent anti-conversion laws. These laws are aimed at curbing religious conversions deemed to be forced or induced by fraudulent means. Recently, a case involving 11 Christians has highlighted the challenges faced by religious minorities under these laws.
According to the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF), as of February 2023, 12 of India’s 28 states have enacted anti-conversion laws. These states include Arunachal Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, Rajasthan, Uttarakhand, and Uttar Pradesh. The implementation and enforcement of these laws, however, vary significantly from state to state.
In Madhya Pradesh, where one of the most stringent anti-conversion laws is in place, 11 Christians were recently released from custody after being accused of violating these laws. For their protection, the names of those released have been omitted. The case has drawn national attention and sparked a debate about the freedom of religious expression in India.
The enforcement of anti-conversion laws is inconsistent across the states. In some states like Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh, the laws are enforced rigorously, leading to numerous arrests and legal proceedings against individuals accused of forced conversions. In contrast, other states like Arunachal Pradesh and Himachal Pradesh have reported fewer cases of enforcement.
Human rights organizations and religious freedom advocates have criticized these laws, arguing that they violate fundamental rights guaranteed by the Indian Constitution. Critics assert that these laws are often misused to target religious minorities, particularly Christians and Muslims, under the guise of protecting public order.
“Anti-conversion laws in India pose a serious threat to religious freedom.”
– said a spokesperson from USCIRF.
These laws are often used to harass and intimidate religious minorities.
There have been calls from various quarters for the reform or repeal of these anti-conversion laws. Advocates for religious freedom argue that these laws are incompatible with India’s secular principles and its commitment to international human rights standards.
India must uphold its commitment to religious freedom by repealing these draconian laws, said an advocate for religious rights. These laws serve no purpose other than to oppress and marginalize religious minorities.
