Bills put forward by allies of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to strengthen anti-conversion laws and to make the Bhagavad Gita the national book of India worry Christian leaders.

The Deputy Moderator of the Church of South India has denounced bills put forward by allies of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to strengthen anti-conversion laws and to make the Bhagavad Gita the national book of India. On 13 Dec 2014 Bishop Thomas K. Oommen said laws forbidding the conversion of Hindus to Christianity and other religions violated natural human rights as well as India’s constitution. Privileging the Bhagavad Gita, a primary text of Hinduism, over other religious books also violated the secular nature of the Indian state, he said. The bishop’s comments come amidst sharp debate in the lower house of the Indian parliament, the Lok Sabha last week. Opposition MPs attacked the government over its allegedt support for a “reconversion” ceremony staged in Agra on 8 Dec 2014 where 57 Muslim families underwent purification rituals to become Hindus. The ruling BJP party has denied any role in the conversions, but some of its MPs have defended what they describe as “ghar wapsi” (homecoming). Money, food, and ration cards to obtain state subsidies were allegedly promised by a militant Hindu group in order to convert Muslims. Last week’s “ghar wapsi” ceremony was one of a number of recent events staged by Hindu militants in Uttar Pradesh to publicize the conversion of Muslims and Christians to Hinduism.