Letters To The Editor

Sudheendra Kulkarni8217;s presentation was commendable in defining ethnical limits to the act of the proselytiser, but I have always been concerned also about the freedom of the 8216;8216;proselytised8217;8217; to change his faith

8226; Sudheendra Kulkarni8217;s presentation was commendable in defining ethnical limits to the act of the proselytiser 8216;Conversions: Learning from the Mahatma, May 21, but I have always been concerned also about the freedom of the 8216;8216;proselytised8217;8217; to change his faith. How can anyone be denied the right to move voluntarily from the religion of his birth, as he pleases? How can anyone think of placing the religious status of another person in a freeze? Kulkarni may argue that a person may be forced to change his religion out of fear or greed i.e. in bad conscience. But, then, how can I or Kulkarni act as the keeper of his conscience? Islam prescribes 8216;8216;no coercion in matter of faith8217;8217;. In my view, this applies against coercion including social or environmental both ways8212;for or against change of religion.

The entire story about Christian expansion in India since the British set foot on our soil is highly exaggerated. The Census shows it. Despite every effort of the VHP to 8216;8216;semitise8217;8217; Hinduism, it remains a religion without dogmas. So every Hindu may believe whatever he likes, including elements of Christianity or Islam or even atheism or participate in occult rites. There can be no symmetry in this matter with dogmatic religions. This is the problem Muslims and Christians face. They cannot match the 8216;8216;liberalism8217;8217; of the Hindus. Neither can they deviate from their dogmas in good faith.

In India, the problem is essentially political. The 8216;Hindu8217; mind is apprehensive of losing the number game, albeit in the long run. I see more and more Dalits and Adivasis denying their Hindu identity. But if all religions are paths to the same goal and if all human beings are equal as citizens, why worry about any variation in their inter se religious proportion? But I appreciate the Hindu society.

How does Hinduism keep its flock? It has been using state power or majoritarian pressure. But this may not work. Locking the doors will create suffocation within the house of Hinduism. It can do so by offering social equality and economic justice.

Syed Shahabuddin

Ex-MP

8226; It is difficult to prove in a court of law 8216;8216;unethical means8217;8217;. The missionaries even now say that any law against conversion with allurement or coersion is unnecessary because no conversion in our country uses these means! It is a ludicrous claim. The enormous reach, money power and collaboration by local missionary toadies that the churches bring to bear on conversion in the interior areas is to be seen to be believed. I doubt if any 8216;8216;dialogue8217;8217; will mean anything in practice. To my mind inter-religious dialogue will have any meaning only if the prosyletising religions categorically agree ab initio to abandon their claim that their religion is superior, their God is the only God and that conversions are all the result of spiritual enquiry and awakening in the poor and the downtrodden.

R Venkatanarayanan

Ex-secretary to Govt of India