RAIPUR: Chhattisgarh Christian Association has claimed that conversion is legal in India and just the forced or lured conversion is illegal saying that those who have guts can challenge them in court.

Making the statement at press club here on Monday, Chhattisgarh Christian Forum President, Arun Pannalal said that the Hindu groups and all those, who have filed court cases against Christian priests for conversion, have failed to establish the charges.

"They always frame us in charges of conversion but were never able to prove it. Conversions are legal in India. Only forced and lured conversions are not. We don't go and ask people to convert their religion but we don't even kick those who are willing to opt Christianity on their own," said Pannalal.

He questioned that How come the 'Ghar Wapasi' is allowed for them and not for us?

"They are free to challenge us in court if they have proofs that we were doing conversions in the church which was attacked by right wingers on Sunday. We will fight the case. But they just don't have any right to attack us," he added.

The BJP led state government in 2006 enacted a legislation -Chhattisgarh Freedom of Religion (Amendment) Act, 2006 - that provides anyone who converts a person to his faith will need to seek permission from the local district magistrate (DM) at least 30 days in advance. The district collector is to allow conversion only if threats or allurements have not been offered.

Anybody found guilty of contravening the DM's decision is liable to imprisonment for up to three years and a fine of up to Rs 20,000. Violation of the provision is a non-bailable offence.

India is the second largest nation in the world, with a population of 1.2 billion next only to China. Of this number, 80.5 percent are followers of Hinduism. Christians maintain a minority presence in India, with only 2.3 percent or 27 million of the population following the teachings of Jesus Christ.



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