Daijiworld Media Network – Udupi (MS/HB)
Udupi, Dec 27: “According to constitution, all religions have religious freedom. Anyone can follow any religion according to his or her wish or will and also propagate the same. This is the real religious freedom,” said Prashanth Jathanna, state president of Indian Christian Federation.
Jathanna was speaking at the press conference that was organized at the Press Club in the city on Monday. He further said, “The government of Karnataka has given a new heading saying that the act is protection of religious freedom thereby snatching the religious freedom of minorities.
“A situation is created in the state wherein Christians need to get permission from high court to celebrate Christmas at their homes. Miscreants enter the convents, schools and colleges run by Christians and vandalize the property and threaten the nuns and teachers of the school with dire consequences. In addition, they pressurize to keep the idols of Gods and Goddesses of their religion and force the administration of education institutions to venerate them. No action is being taken by the police. This clearly shows that the anti-conversion bill is brought to give permission to certain organizations to create ruckus.
“This act prima facie projects that religious conversion is a criminal act. It makes a person hesitate to convey his faith to others and also targets aid and free education to poor people as enticement to conversion.
“Anyone can register complaint about religious conversion. In this manner, the act can be used for ulterior purposes. This is against the constitution. Government should stop MLAs and ministers of ruling party from giving statements targeting the minorities.
“Recently, when BJP MP Tejasvi Surya came to the city he gave statement that Christians and Muslims should be converted back to Hinduism. This kind of hate speeches should be stopped. As we have said earlier, we vehemently oppose forceful religious conversion. Even Bible, our holy book does not approve this.
“The unconditional withdrawal of the statement given by Tejasvi is welcome. However, he should not have said such words which hurt the feelings of minorities. People, who are educated should think before giving such statements. Not a single MLA is speaking about this law. Is there no value to the contribution of Christian community to the society?
“When observing all these developments, it shows that the anti-conversion bill has given a license for miscreants to attack Christian institutions and religious places. At least now the government should wake up and drop this act,” he said.
Dr Neri Cornelio, district president of International Federation of Christian Associations, advocate Noel Karkada, legal advisor, Indian Christian Federation and Gladson Karkada, state convener, Indian Christian Federation were present.