The AICU expressed alarm over escalating hostility toward Christians and other religious minorities, attributing much of the tension to anti-conversion laws.
Newsroom (26/09/2025, Gaudium Press ) The All India Catholic Union (AICU), the largest organization of Catholic laypeople in India and Asia, has denounced the anti-conversion laws enforced in twelve Indian states as a “wound to Indian democracy, national ethics, freedom of belief, conscience, and expression.” During its General Assembly in Mangalore, the AICU expressed alarm over escalating hostility toward Christians and other religious minorities, attributing much of the tension to these controversial laws.
The AICU, founded in 1919 and currently led by Elias Vaz, condemned the measures as tools to “reduce freedom, constrain consciences, and subject religious beliefs to judicial approval.” The organization claims these laws are exploited by Hindu nationalist groups to target non-Hindu communities, particularly Christians, Muslims, Dalits, and indigenous peoples. “These laws criminalize religious minorities and fuel hate campaigns,” the AICU stated, highlighting their impact on India’s pluralistic fabric.
Legal Challenges and Growing Concerns
The anti-conversion laws, in place in states including Rajasthan (2025), Karnataka (2022), Haryana (2022), Madhya Pradesh (2021), Uttar Pradesh (2021), Gujarat (2021), Himachal Pradesh (2019), Uttarakhand (2018), Jharkhand (2017), Chhattisgarh (2006), Arunachal Pradesh (1978), and Odisha (1967), have sparked legal battles. Lawsuits challenging their constitutionality are pending before India’s Supreme Court, with critics arguing they violate fundamental rights.
John Dayal, a journalist and AICU member, told Fides that the rise of the Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in 2014 has intensified the issue. “Since the BJP came to power, many states have introduced or tightened anti-conversion laws, falsely portraying religious minorities as threats to national identity and unity,” Dayal said. He noted that these laws often exploit fears of population shifts, with Hindu nationalist groups claiming non-Hindu communities could overtake the Hindu majority.
Ambiguity and Harsh Penalties
The laws, particularly the 2025 Rajasthan bill, deem conversions illegal if achieved through “false representation, force, undue influence, coercion, inducement, or fraudulent means, including marriage.” Dayal criticized the vague language, which allows authorities to interpret nearly any conversion as illegal, effectively curbing individual choice. The laws also place the burden of proof on those seeking to convert, requiring them to demonstrate no fraud or coercion occurred.
Penalties are notably severe for conversions involving Dalits, Adivasis, women, and children—groups Hindu nationalists view as vulnerable to “seduction” and critical to maintaining a “Hindu majority.” This selective targeting underscores the ideological underpinnings of the legislation, which critics argue prioritizes Hindu nationalist agendas over constitutional protections.
A Call for Interfaith Dialogue
In response, the AICU is launching “Bandhutva,” an interfaith dialogue initiative inspired by the compassion of Mother Teresa and Mahatma Gandhi. The program aims to foster understanding among religious communities and counter hate campaigns. The General Assembly, attended by approximately 150 delegates nationwide, also focused on “crisis management,” equipping members to handle attacks, violence, or controversies stemming from religious tensions.
The AICU reaffirmed its commitment to safeguarding freedom of faith and conscience for all Indians, vowing to continue its advocacy amid growing challenges. As legal battles unfold, the organization’s stance signals a broader push for pluralism in a nation grappling with the rise of religious nationalism.
- Raju Hasmukh with files from Agenzia Fides
Related Images:
