Santosh:if you tell somebody that they will be cured from cancer if they pray for this saint to intercede on their behalf, as soon as they convert, and you sincerely believe what you are telling them, then are you committing a fraud? I have a suspicion that our legal system says no. Otherwise, it would slide down a slippery slope towards all kinds of legal precipices related to religious and ethical matters.
Response:In my view, what religion to follow or not is a personal matter and choice. The state has no place in it. The state's role should be restricted to maintaining law and order. In case any complaint of force or fraud or coercion is made, it is the responsibility of the state to investigate and prosecute as per the laws of the land. In reality, conversion is not an issue at all. It is only an excuse for vested interests who want to maintain the status quo vis-s-vis the marginalised sections. They need them for their cheap labour and to exploit them. Once these people are educated and given access to better medical care and employment opportunities, they are unlikely accept domination over them. It is interesting that inspite of the various allegations made and the enactment of anti-conversion laws in 7 states, there has been NOT A SINGLE case of conviction in the last 40 years. Does this not tell the true story? Further, the same people who are protesting against conversions are the first to send their children to christian schools, colleges and institutions and use christian hospitals. Uddhav and Raj Thackeray's children are studying in christian schools. Keshubhai Patel (former CM of Gujarat) sends his grandchildren to St Xavier's. So many BJP / Shiv Sena politicians bring pressure on christian institutions to admit their wards. Why would this be so if they fear conversion? The truth be told, they would like the best for their children but do not want the marginalised sections to benefit for obvious reasons. And the bogey of 'conversion' is a good one to subdue the christians. Regards, Marshall
