Forced conversion of Christians draws protests

The Global Council of Indian Christians (GCIC), a Christian organisation based in Bangalore, is concerned with the recent forced conversions of tribal Christians by radical Hindu groups, according to the Indo-Asian News Service.

"The planned forced conversion of the tribal Christians is on the rise in tribal-dominated Keanjhan, Sundergarh and other districts of Orissa," said Sajan K. George of GCIC in a letter to the National Commission for Minorities (NCM).

Many Christians in India’s eastern Orissa state have been attacked by newly radical Hindu groups who were converting "innocent tribes by coercing or alluring them with monetary benefits." A new anti-conversion law, the Freedom of Religions Act, exists in Orissa to stop such threats and promises of reward, but has had little effect on violent means of conversions by Hindu groups.

"We are really concerned with the connivance of the state government in allowing the (Hindu) bigots to conduct such ceremonies after threatening the hapless Christians," said George of GCIC.

The Orissa government, which is controlled by a Hindu majority, has apparently failed to investigate and prevent the conversions of Christian families. The law, however, has been apparently applied with a double standard on Christian missionaries.

In 1999, Graham Steins, an Australian missionary, and his two sons were apparently burnt to death by Hindu fanatics.