Penalty for conversion debated in India

NEW DELHI, India — The Gujarat state assembly plans to debate a controversial conversion bill aimed at Christians in its current February-March session. The Gujarat Freedom of Religion Act, introduced by a Bharatiya Janatha Part Assembly member in August 1999, describes the conversion of a scheduled caste or tribes person as “an atrocity” and calls for three years’ imprisonment or a maximum fine of 5,000 Rs ($125). Those who convert are required to report to the district magistrate, and those who fail to comply may be jailed for one year or be fined a maximum fine of 1,000 Rs ($25). The bill also gives the state government powers to investigate and verify all cases of conversions. Earlier, the Gujarat government lifted a ban on government staff (including teachers and policemen) joining the Hindu paramilitary corps, the Rashtriya Swayamsevah Sangh (RSS). Christians hold the RSS to be a fascist organization that promotes hatred.