ASIA/INDIA - A Pastor and other Christians have been arrested in Kashmir for "forced conversions"

Srinagar (Agenzia Fides) - Police in Kashmir have arrested Pastor C. M. Khanna of the "All Saints Church," along with other Christian faithful engaged in the same church. The accusation against the Pastor and the faithful is "forced conversion" of 15 Muslim boys, who were baptized in the church a few weeks ago. For the case, Pastor Khanna had been called to testify by the Grand Mufti before an Islamic court (see Fides 07/11/2011). The Pastor - as reported to Fides by the "Global Council of Indian Christians" (GCIC), which defends the rights of Christians in India - admitted, before the Islamic court, his involvement in the conversion of 15 young Muslims (but without any deceit or flattery), by simply accepting their request to be baptized, which was "their own free will".
The Grand Mufti invoked the application of the sharia (Islamic law) and the intervention of the police, threatening, otherwise "serious consequences". The police in Kashmir, fearing another round of turmoil in the valley, registered the case according to the articles 153A, 259 and 186 of the Penal Code and arrested the Pastor and other believers. Meanwhile, other Christians in Kashmir, note sources of Fides, are in hiding, fearing retaliation by Islamic extremists.
"The state has surrendered to the militants, denying the constitutional guarantees to its citizens" is what is said, in an open letter to the National Commission for Minorities, in the federal government, by Sajan George, President of the GCIC, recalling that "conversion is a right which is protected in the Indian Constitution, "arguing that there is not enough evidence for the arrest. Besides, "the baptism ceremony was open to the public and the Pastor had nothing to hide".
"The rights of Christians are sacrificed on the altar of political opportunity and convenience" continued the President, while "a Muslim religious figure is trying to subject a Christian to the Sharia law in the largest democracy in the world". The GCIC said that "the only hope for justice for Christians is the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights". (PA) (Agenzia Fides 21/11/2011)