Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Srinagar (Agenzia Fides) - A Protestant Pastor, accused of promoting "fraudulent conversions" in Kashmir, has been summoned to appear before an Islamic court and is in danger of life due to the threats of Islamic extremist groups. According to what was reported to Fides by the "Global Council of Indian Christians" (GCIC), an organization that defends the rights of Christians in India, rev. C.M. Khanna, Pastor of the "Church of North India", in service at Srinagar, in Kashmir, is now in a very serious and delicate situation. The Pastor is falsely accused of "fraudulent conversions" in retaliation: in fact, a Muslim mufti intends to retaliate against him for non-admission of a Muslim boy in a Christian school in Srinagar.
The Mufti Bashir-ud-din Azaam sued the Pastor, calling him to appear before the Islamic court (that applyies the Sharia), disputing his "fraudulent conversions over young Muslims". Khanna did not attend the first hearing, the next hearing is scheduled on November 12 and the pressure mounts in Srinagar so that the pastor is judged, risking condemnation and death.
"Rev. Khanna is a citizen and an Indian priest. Islamic laws are applicable only where Islamic Constitution is in force. The citation in an Islamic court is misplaced and is unconstitutional in a secular country like India. Rev. Khanna can be judged only by the system and according to Indian civil and criminal law", said the GCIC.
Meanwhile, rev. Khanna and his family are barricaded in their house and are constantly threatened with death. "It is a tragedy that all this is happening in a free country like India, with its Constitution and fundamental rights of its citizens, including the fundamental right to religious freedom and the freedom to convert" notes GCIC. The story is "a test case because, if it is not stopped in time, it can lead to a series of grave consequences, endangering the secular nature of our country". (PA) (Agenzia Fides 07/11/2011)
