Thread by @sharansetty2

#AntiConversionBill- A thread:
As the #KarnatakaAssembly passed an anticipated #AntiConversionLaw, the mainstream media has seen a slew of misconceptions, misinterpretations (often deliberate), and in some cases, outright lies.
Read on, to understand more about the law: (1/n)

#Article25 has been cited as the primary criticism of the law, saying that this will curb the religious freedom of minorities. In its face, the argument says that the Right to Propagate one's religion includes the Right to Convert (The Act speaks ONLY of forced conversions) 2/n

The #SupremeCourt has already given it's ruling on the questions of the right to convert, stating clearly that the Right to Propagate does NOT include the Right to Convert in the (Rev. Stanislaus V/s State of Madhya Pradesh and Orissa (1977) case. (3/n)

A common piece of propaganda being spread is that, #AntiConversion laws are unheard of; is a 'Hindu-Right' phenomenon, which is simply false. Such laws had been passed by several princely states, and post-independence, Odisha became the first state to enact such law (1967). (4/n)

The erosion of India's indigenous identity, at the hands of missionaries is no secret. Uncomfortable truths are truths nonetheless, and the project of coercive conversions has played a huge role in the same. NE India is perhaps a "spectacular success" of the missionaries. (5/n)

From the horse's mouth itself:
Source: Christian Mass Movements in India: A Study with Recommendations, J. Waskom Pickett, Director Mass Movement Study, National Christian Council of India, Burma and Ceylon, Foreword by John R. Mott, Christian Int'l Missionary Council (6/n)

No matter what the political leadership yells from the House Floor, or the Bishops might tell you, the law in no way, shape or form targets a religious group. Not a single mention of the name of ANY religion can be found in the entire Act. (7/n) (livelaw.in/pdf_upload/the…)

To understand any Bill, one must read its Statement of Object and Reasons (below). To say that the bill targets a specific community is an admission of guilt. If Christianity doesn't allow forced conversion in the first place, then how can this Bill be 'Anti-Christian'? (n/n)