Hyderabad-based Council of Churches Commission on Public Affairs has denounced conversions by fraudulent means.
Chairman of the Council, Jetti A. Oliver, in a statement on Sunday, said that faith was one’s personal commitment to God. “In a democracy, people are entitled to a faith, political affiliation and a vocation of their choice. Banning such choices is a negation of democracy,” he said.
Terming the recent controversy as unfortunate, Mr. Oliver said the issue of conversions, re-conversions and banning conversions during the Holy season of Christmas was bound to dampen the spirit of the festival. The existing laws are adequate to contain the wrong ways of conversion; laws contemplated for banning conversion sound minority specific and therefore should be avoided. The fundamental rights guaranteed under the Constitution should be upheld, he said.
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