Conversion debate: The politics of religion

Religion has always been controversial in India. Although a secular nation, religion forms the fundamental basis of our individual identities.

Thus, it is no surprise that the recent statement by Pope Benedict XVI slamming the anti-conversion laws proposed in parts of the country as disturbing signs of religious intolerance, restrictions on the fundamental right of religious freedom, unconstitutional and contrary to the ideals of India’s founding fathers has stirred a hornet’s nest.

Immediately, the pontiff’s statement was met with sharp criticism by the BJP along with cries of interference in what is ostensibly an issue for the nation to decide. Even the UPA government expressed its displeasure and added that it disapproved the statement.

As a secular democratic entity, the state in India is required to maintain equidistance from all religions and pledges not to interfere in religious matters.

Article 25 of the Indian Constitution provides that, "All persons are equally entitled to freedom of conscience and the right freely to profess, practice and propagate religion."

Therefore, the right to disassociate from a religious grouping or to pledge allegiance to another or to none at all is a basic human right. Constitutionally and legally, people are and must be at liberty to choose a path or a belief system that enables them to lead purposeful lives.

Equally important is the right to express one’s experiences and beliefs in order to assist others to make informed decisions. Therefore, according to the Constitution, missionaries are clearly free to profess and propagate their faith.

However, the truth regarding the conversion debate in India lies within the alleged nature of conversions and the political prerogatives of our leaders.

The anti-conversion argument

Independent India’s first legislation regarding religious conversions was attempted in 1954, and thereafter, the Madhya Pradesh, Orissa and Arunachal Pradesh legislatures passed laws against conversions through the 1960s and 1970s. The most recent enactment of similar laws was in Tamil Nadu in 2002 and Gujarat in 2003.

These laws are aimed at protecting tribals, adivasis and those from backward classes and castes from proselytizing activities.

Their proponents argue that missionaries are attempting to convert the socially and economically backward through fraudulent means, by luring them with economic incentives and through the use of force.

Moreover, some also suggest that Indian culture is intrinsically linked with the Hindu religion and any attempts at conversion will tamper with the cultural stability of the country.

In response, the Indian Bishops’ Conference has said that all such past allegations have proven to be false and have asked the "tiny politico-religious faction" that opposes conversions to provide proof of forceful or fraudulent conversions.

On the ground, however, Catholic groups have long been attacked in states like Orissa for their activities. The anti-conversion groups have in fact started a re-conversion campaign to reconvert the Hindus who have been converted to Christianity.

Religion-Politics nexus

These events, statements and acts clearly expose the deep linkage between religion and politics in India.

Considering that India is a multi-religious country and people continue to vote on grounds like religion, one reason for political groupings to disallow conversions, even though they may be genuine, is that it eventually impacts their steady vote banks.

Thus, although the anti-conversion laws – or religious freedom acts – may be aimed at protecting innocent people, they infringe basic human rights and can be viewed as a tool for maintaining a political vote bank.

Moreover, although forcing a conversion or a re-conversion is reprehensible, providing economic incentives to adopt a new identity is probably as problematic as someone adopting a foreign nationality for economic gains.

Ideally, religion is a doctrine or a set of norms that governs our way of life, leading us to spiritual growth. And, each individual is entitled to select the path that he/she deems best.

However, the nexus between religion and politics is a reality of India, and for those like Constantine who think that Church and State must be separated, if you believe that religion should not be linked with politics, you probably don’t know much about either of them.