Summary
India’s Supreme Court has upheld a Chhattisgarh lower court ruling that banned Christian missionaries and tribal pastors from entering certain villages to prevent alleged religious conversions through inducement or manipulation. This decision drew criticism from Archbishop Victor Henry Thakur of Raipur, who is also the president of the Catholic Bishops’ Council in Chhattisgarh. The case began when elected village councils in several tribal areas passed resolutions banning Christian pastors and converts from entering villages to prevent forcible conversions using coercive or fraudulent methods. A petition was filed challenging this order, but the Supreme Court dismissed it on procedural grounds due to lack of statutory remedies being exhausted first. The lower court had previously ruled that billboards prohibiting entry were intended for protection against “forcible conversion by way of allurement or fraud.” Archbishop Thakur contends these measures violate constitutional rights and discriminate against Christians. Indian law regarding religious liberty remains complex, with some states enforcing restrictions on conversions through misrepresentation or force.
Key Topics
Vatican City, Chhattisgarh, Religious liberty
