The southern Indian state of Karnataka has issued an order to check “forced conversions” as Catholic bishops in the region expressed concern over a proposed anti-conversion law.
A report on Matters India said State Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai has instructed on September 28 the district deputy commissioners to be vigilant about conversions in their respective jurisdictions.
The order came five days after Catholic bishops expressed their concern over the proposed anti-conversion law.
Bommai said he has received complaints about the forced conversions. He said the government plans to bring in a legislative ban on conversions in the state.
The Catholic bishops of Karnataka met with Bommai last week to voice their concern over the proposed law to ban forcible religious conversions in the state.
The bishops told reporters after the meeting that some sectors are trying to malign the Catholic Church.
“It is not right if someone approaches people, hands over the book and a cross, and converts them. We, too, have a conscience and moral responsibility. We are not forcing anyone,” Archbishop Peter Machado of Bangalore told the media.
In a memorandum submitted to the Bommai, the bishops said an anti-conversion law would lead to “unnecessary communal issues and unrest.”
“Even though thousands of educational institutions are being managed by members from the community, we would like to bring to your notice that there is no Christian representation in various committees formed to implement NEP,” read the letter.
The bishops also asked the chief minister to establish a Christian Development Board under the government to ensure the welfare of Christians in the state.
Father Faustine Lobo, director of the regional Pastoral Center in Bangalore, said the Catholic Church does not involve in any forcible conversions, although it cares to more than 30 percent of the population with schools and hospitals.
“If we really wanted to convert people through our schools or hospitals, we could have done it easily,” the priest told Matters India on September 29.
He also challenged the government to prove if any such incidents had been reported.
