Bengaluru: The Archbishop of Bengaluru, Most Rev. Peter Machado, on Friday expressed disappointment over reports on the Backward Classes and Minorities Welfare Department ordering officials to conduct a survey of both official and non-official Christian missionaries functioning in Karnataka.
According to sources, the order was issued in the backdrop of alleged ‘rampant’ religious conversions in the State. The decision was taken in the meeting held at Vikasa Soudha on Wednesday by the Backward Classes and Minorities Welfare Committee.
Reacting to the reports, the prelate in a press statement said, “I have read the reports in the media that the Backward & Minority Welfare Department of Karnataka wishes to make a survey of the Christian missionaries and their places of worship. We consider this exercise as futile and unnecessary. There is no good that will come out of it, In fact, in the background of the conversion bogey and anti-religious feelings that are being whipped up and therefore it is dangerous to make such surveys. With this, our community places of worship, as also pastors and sisters will be identified and may be unfairly targeted. We are already hearing of such sporadic incidents in the north and in Karnataka already.”
The Archbishop expressed his displeasure on why was the government interested in making survey of the religious personnel and places of worship only of the Christian Community. “We are sad that the Hon’ble Chief Minister, Mr Basavaraj Bommai, whom we regard highly as a broad-minded and enlightened person has succumbed to the pressures from fundamentalist groups, who wish to indulge in disturbing the peace, harmony and peaceful co-existence in the society.”
Instead, Dr Machado suggested, “Let the government take the count of the educational institutions and health centres run by the Christian missionaries. That will give a fair idea of the service that is rendered by the Christian Community to the nation building. How many people are converted in these places and institutions? If, as alleged by some, Christians are converting indiscriminately why the percentage of Christian population is reducing regularly when compared to the others?” he countered.
Regretting the move by the department, Dr Machado strongly felt that, “We are always against forceful, fraudulent and incentivised conversions and we repeat that we are lawfully abiding by the prescriptions of the Constitution of India, which for us is supreme and sacred. Does not the Constitution in Article 25 (also 26, 29 & 30) ensure the freedom of every citizen to profess, practice and propagate his/her religion without fear or force? Why do we need any anti-conversion laws when there are enough safeguards enshrined in the Constitution and the legal system of the country to punish the guilty? he asked.
The Archbishop stated that, “Further laws will only be tools in the hands of a few to hound and persecute the innocent. Just a few days back, the Madras Court declared that merely going to church and displaying Christian symbols does not mean that a person has converted. The Christian Community is patriotic, law abiding and would like to be foremost in the service of the poor and downtrodden in the country. We need support and encouragement from the government,” he urged.
Get a stay order in this regard. Why a single community targeted?
It’s not necessary to survey the religious places that too only of Christians. Let them leave us alone. Simply creating problems is not good for anybody.