Conversion of tribals prevented

BALASORE, FEB. 23. Six persons in Balasore district of Orissa were recently prevented from converting to Christianity by police in the first such instance since the amendment to the Orissa Freedom of Religion Act, 1999.

Police stopped Mr. Channa Singh, a tribal of Jamabani village, and five members of his family, from embracing Christianity on the ground that the investigation into the causes leading to their conversion was not yet complete, sources said.

As per the amended law, a person wanting to change his religion must inform the District Collector about it in a prescribed form. The priest involved in the process must also inform the authorities. Police will then be asked to investigate the matter and report back to the Collector. If the reasons for conversion are found to be satisfactory, permission will be given for the act. Sources said that the pastor of the G.E.L church at Kaptipada, Rev. Rameswar Mundu, and the six tribals had applied for permission in the first week of this month.

But when they decided to go ahead with the conversion ceremony on February 20, police intervened saying the investigation into the matter was not complete and asked them to postpone the conversions. The pastor and tribals heeded the advice and cancelled the ceremony and there was no tension over the issue.

Official sources also said the Balasore district units of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad and the Bajrang Dal had filed a petition before the Collector requesting him not to accord permission for the conversion. The amendments to the OFR Act of 1967 have been challenged in the Orissa High Court on the ground that it violates the spirit of the Constitution which allows the citizens to profess any faith.

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