Gandhinagar (AsiaNews) – The governor of the western state Gujarat has rejected a draft law on religious freedom (better known as the anti-conversion law) approved in 2006 and the subject of heavy controversy because it “discriminates” against religious minorities.   Parliament has re-introduced the previous version, approved in 2003.

Archbishop of Gandhinagar and secretary of the Indian Catholic Bishops Conference, Msgr. Stanislaus Fernandes, tells AsiaNews: “the law in question was completely unacceptable above all because it sought to further divide relations within the various religions, but this is a great sign of improvement for all of us”.

According to the text Jains and Buddhists were to be construed as denominations of Hinduism, and Catholic and Protestant as denominations of Christianity. “While this can be accepted from an ecumenical point of view – continued the Archbishop – a division of this nature cannot become part of law”.   Despite this, the prelate underlines, “the problem of the anti conversion law remains.  This is an attack on religious freedom, which instead they declare they want to protect, and thus it becomes a direct violation of rights that are guaranteed by our Constitution”.

The 2003 anti-conversion law, applied only on paper in Gujarat, aims above all to prevent conversions from Hinduism to Christianity.  In the case of a Hindu wanting to convert to Christianity, he is obliged to inform the local magistrate for permission.  If he fails to do so the conversion can be annulled.

Regarding the case of Governor Narendra Modi, accused of wanting to spread sectarianism in the state, Msgr. Fernandes says: “I personally believe that the Chief Minister wants peace in the State; he has repeatedly told us his doors were always open to us and asked us to specifically report any cases of persecution or attacks. He gave us a lot of hope”.