Bishops condemn ‘unconstitutional’ anti-conversion laws across India

The CBCI referred to Article 25 of the constitution, under which ‘all persons are equally entitled to freedom of conscience and the right freely to profess, practise and propagate any religion’.

India’s Catholic bishops made a plea for the repeal of anti-conversion laws that they said are not only “inconsistent with religious freedom and the right to privacy” but also lead to the incarceration of innocent individuals on unfounded allegations of forcible conversions.

“As many innocent individuals are incarcerated on unfounded allegations of forcible religious conversions, we strongly demand the repeal of legislation that is inconsistent with religious freedom and the right to privacy,” the bishops said.

Twelve Indian states have passed anti-conversion laws and others are considering similar legislation. The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India (CBCI) and the National Council of Churches have appealed to the Supreme Court against these laws, which they claimed incentivise vigilantism and encourage violence against the community.

The bishops referred to Article 25 of the constitution, under which “all persons are equally entitled to freedom of conscience and the right freely to profess, practise and propagate any religion”. They urged the government to ensure that no citizen is denied fundamental rights to equality and freedom.

The appeal appeared in the final statement issued at the end of the CBCI’s 37th General Body Meeting, held on 4-10 February at St John’s Academy of Health Sciences in Bengaluru, capital of southern Karnataka state, which brought together over 200 bishops from across the country under the theme “Faith and the Nation: The Church’s Witness to India’s Constitutional Vision”.

The statement set out the Church’s mission and stance on national issues while reaffirming its commitment to being “rooted in Christ and faithful to the constitution”. 

Referring to the denial of rights to Christian Dalits, who constitute more than 60 per cent of the Catholic community in India, the CBCI said it was an indirect form of discrimination which has continued for decades despite repeated appeals for equality and justice.

The bishops said it was important to advocate for the protection of fundamental rights for all individuals, regardless of caste, creed or language, as constitutional rights are often “unjustly restricted, particularly concerning the poor, the marginalised, Dalits and tribal people”.

“We express our concern over the denial of rights to minorities, as such acts weaken the democratic fabric of our society,” their statement said.  

Besides rising inequality and polarisation, the bishops also discussed ecological degradation. They emphasised the Church’s role in fostering dialogue, reconciliation and fraternity.

“We take upon sustained inter-religious dialogue and civil-society engagement, standing in solidarity with all those who face injustice or exclusion, and working together for peace, social harmony, and the protection of human dignity,” they said.

Reaffirming their faith in the constitution, which envisions “a sovereign socialist secular democratic republic, and secures to all its citizens justice, liberty, equality and fraternity”, the prelates encouraged young people to engage in politics as a vocation to service and to participate actively in democratic processes.

They urged Catholics to remain steadfast in their identity, viewing questions or confrontations as opportunities to deepen their relationship with Christ. The bishops asked them to live their Christian faith with courage and conviction so that it may inspire unity and hope in society.

Earlier, in the meeting, the bishops elected the Archbishop of Hyderabad Cardinal Anthony Poola, the first Dalit to be made a cardinal, as the new CBCI president. 

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