10

Jul

Christian leaders upset over remarks of Allahabad judge

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Anwarul haq Baig

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New Delhi, 10 July 2024

Justice Rohit Ranjan Agarwal of the Allahabad High Court has sparked controversy with his remarks in a case involving alleged conversion from Hinduism to Christianity. While rejecting the bail application of Kailash, accused of involvement in religious conversion, Justice Agarwal expressed concerns that continued conversions could lead to the majority population becoming a minority. He called for an immediate stop to religious congregations used for conversions.

 

Christian leaders and activists across India have criticized the judge's remarks as "saffron-tinged" and discriminatory. A.C. Michael, President of the Federation of Catholic Associations of Archdiocese of Delhi, said the judge's remarks implied that Christians are not citizens of India. Michael warned that the judge's observations could expose the Christian community to further persecution, citing ongoing violence against Christians in several Indian states.

 

Article at a Glance
A recent ruling by Justice Rohit Ranjan Agarwal of the Allahabad High Court has sparked controversy. While rejecting a bail application, the judge expressed concerns that continued religious conversions could lead to the majority population becoming a minority.
Christian leaders and activists have criticized the judge's remarks as discriminatory and "saffron-tinged," implying that Christians are not citizens of India. The United Christian Forum pointed out that the court's remarks contradict Article 25 of the Indian Constitution, which guarantees individuals the freedom to change their religion.
Experts have refuted claims that unchecked conversions could lead to demographic changes, and legal experts have criticized the judge's interpretation of the right to religion as wrong and prejudiced. The ruling has reignited debates about the judiciary's role in matters of religion and the interpretation of constitutional rights.

 

 

The United Christian Forum (UCF) pointed out that the court's remarks contradicted Article 25 of the Indian Constitution, which guarantees individuals the freedom to change their religion according to their conscience. The UCF expressed concern over the court's failure to distinguish between voluntary and forced conversions, citing statistics showing 733 hostile acts against Christians reported in 2023.

 

Dr. John Dayal, a prominent Christian activist, compared the judge's statements to Islamophobia, calling for action from the Chief Justice and the Supreme Court collegium. The case involves Kailash, accused of taking individuals from a village to Delhi for alleged conversion to Christianity.

 

Justice Agarwal observed that Article 25 of the Constitution does not provide for religious conversion, stating that "Propagation' means to promote, but it does not mean to convert any person from his religion to another religion." He also noted that unlawful conversions of people from SC/ST castes and economically poor persons into Christianity are taking place at a rampant pace in Uttar Pradesh.

 

The judge's remarks have drawn reactions from various quarters. Experts and demographers have refuted claims that unchecked conversions could lead to demographic changes, arguing that the Muslim growth rate is higher than that of Hindus but is steadily declining due to falling fertility rates among Muslims.

 

Professor Katharine Adeney of the University of Nottingham called the judge's remarks "absolutely ridiculous," pointing out that Hindus constitute about 80% of India's population. Clifton D' Rozario, a leader of the Communist Party of India (Marxist-Leninist) Liberation, criticized the judge's comments as an example of "growing judicial religious majoritarianism."

 

Legal experts have also weighed in on the matter, with Dr. Rohan stating that the judge's interpretation of the right to religion is wrong and prejudiced. The judge's recent comments and decisions have reignited debates about the judiciary's role in matters of religion and the interpretation of constitutional rights.

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