The National Council of Churches in India has filed a petition challenging the constitutionality of anti-conversion laws in the nation. The organization believes that the laws, which were passed in 12 states with the intention of curbing forced conversions, have instead fostered a system in which Christians are among those subjected to harassment, intimidation, and in some cases, violence.
The results are of grave concern, with Christians in states with anti-conversion laws facing mob violence, accusations of forced conversions, and in some cases arrests for no other action but practicing their faith. The acts involving vigilante justice are allegedly carried out with the subtle approval, or in the very least indifference, of local authorities.
The NCCI contends that the anti-conversion laws violate the constitutional right to religious freedom by criminalizing voluntary conversion, encouraging vigilante groups to violently attack minority communities, and allowing arrests of those accused of conversions without due process of the law. It seems to ultimately spawn an environment in which religious minorities live in constant fear, in some case fear for their lives.
In a response that holds the potential to impact the future of religious freedom in India, the Supreme Court has sent notices to 12 states regarding the NCCI’s petition.
According to media reports, the Supreme Court bench, which includes Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi, joined the NCCI case with other similar petitions related to the nation’s religious conversion laws. A three-judge bench is set to hear all the petitions as soon as the states and the government of India file their replies to the notices issued to them.
The NCCI comprises 32 member churches, 17 regional Christian councils, 18 all-India organisations, and seven related agencies, and represents about 14 million people in India, predominantly marginalised and tribal Christians. While in one previous case, the opposition of the anti-conversion laws by the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India challenged the Rajasthan Prohibition of Unlawful Religious Conversion Act, the NCCI has challenged all related anti-conversion laws in its petition.
Reverend Asir Ebenezer of the Church of South India (CSI) is also the General Secretary of the NCCI, and has said in media reports that the rampant atrocities all over India against the Christian community are going unabated.
“Even approaching the governments have neither curtailed nor stopped the violence against Christians,” he stated. “Even though there are Constitutional guarantees, the anti-conversion bills are cutting at the roots of Freedom of Religion and Beliefs, hence the NCCI has approached the Apex Court of the country.”
Meanwhile, Senior advocate Meenakshi Arora, representing the NCCI, pleaded that the Supreme Court prevent the operation of the state laws. The Supreme Court bench has noted the submissions and directed the Center and the relevant state governments to file their responses within four weeks.