Call for true religious freedom in India

Former IPS officer Okay. Babu Rao on the seminar on spiritual freedom in Hyderabad on Saturday.
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RAMAKRISHNA G

Hyderabad

Audio system at a nationwide seminar on Saturday expressed grave concern over “rising circumstances of violence in opposition to Christians”, whilst they alleged misuse of legislation to foist circumstances on members of this neighborhood.

“Spiritual Freedom in India: Actuality or Dream?”, organised on the Centenary Baptist Church, by the Civil Rights Initiative Internationale (CRII), noticed distinguished audio system, together with former civil servants, sharing their views. The seminar introduced collectively intellectuals, authorized consultants, and coverage makers, who laid emphasis on justice, equality, and true spiritual freedom.

Okay. Babu Rao, former IPS officer, and nationwide president of CRII, recalled the case of an Adivasi pastor, Subhash Bhagel, whose son was unable to bury him within the village graveyard. His son needed to transfer the apex court docket in an effort to get justice. “Resides as a Christian against the law? Having fun with the spiritual freedom assured by the Structure is our proper,” he mentioned.

Audio system additionally highlighted the “lack of non secular freedom confronted by Dalit Christians and Muslims” as a result of 1950 Presidential Order, and urged that efforts must be made in the direction of its repeal. They expressed concern over misuse of anti-conversion legal guidelines.

“We’re Indians, and we are going to uphold the Structure,” was the collective message. Latest incidents from Chhattisgarh and Uttar Pradesh had been identified. In a single incident, over 500 individuals had been booked throughout a prayer service although they weren’t ‘transformed’. In one other, birthday cake reducing was labelled a Christian ritual.

Keynote speeches had been delivered by advocates Tehmina Arora and Franklin Thomas Caesar, each of whom joined the seminar from Delhi. They shared their opinions on how authorized programs have been affecting spiritual freedom in India. Former Chief Secretary of Andhra Pradesh Minnie Mathew was the Chief Visitor.

Mr. Rao launched a e-book titled “Swechha Nunchi Cherasala Loki” (From Freedom to Jail), written by journalist Suresh Pulugujju.