Posted on 08/16/2017 8:47:02 PM PDT by TBP
Early this month, the state government in Jharkhand, northern India, introduced a new Freedom of Religion Bill.
At first glance, the name of this bill suggests an important step forward in human rights for India, but it’s actually the opposite. The bill is a cleverly disguised anti-conversion law, and it’s not the first to be introduced in the country.
Despite the fact that the Indian constitution clearly defines and protects the freedom to practice and propagate religion, radical members of both national parties — Congress and the BJP — have already managed to pass anti-conversion laws in the states of Gujarat, Rajasthan, Himachal Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Orissa and Arunachal Pradesh.
The problem when government imposes restrictions on religion is that it actually creates the conflict it’s attempting to prevent. In fact, academic studies have proven that religious freedom is essential for peace. In “The Price of Freedom Denied,” authors Brian J. Grim and Roger Finke note, “The higher the degree to which governments and societies ensure religious freedoms for all, the less violent religious persecution and conflict along religious lines there will be.”
A majoritarian political appeasement and religious homogeneity, which the anti-conversion laws promote, is a step toward division, not unity. These bills increase local misuse of the law and attacks on Christians and churches by extremists. They sully the image of India globally.
Furthermore, and most salient to India’s economic aspirations, religious freedom is good for business
(Excerpt) Read more at washingtontimes.com ...
The caste system depends on the oppressed bottom class to remain in place. Since other religions don't believe in the caste system, a lot of Dalits are converting -- and the Hindu elites -- especially the militant Hindu nationalists (the Hindutva types) cannot permit their exploitation to be threatened in any way.
It is not safe to be a religious minority in India.
Stupid laws begat by stupid people for stupid people.
They can always defecate on the shore of their favorite river they bath in. Idiocy by the billions.
Not just stupid. Repressive.
The right to choose ones religion is a right that must be available to all in India.
That said, thanks for posting the Pakistani & Khalistani perspectives, TBP. If it weren’t so tragic, the hypocrisy here would be funny. Islamist Khalistanis and their apologists are never funny.
So I take it you support these laws.
I don’t in case you’re forgetting English in favor of Urdu.
Would you rather prefer I translate into Urdu or Panjabi or Khalistani?
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