WASHINGTON, D.C. (TIP): Federation of Indian Christian Associations in North America (FIACONA), an advocacy organization focusing on Religious Freedom, demands the release of Rev. Santhosh Abraham and his wife Jiji from detention in Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh, based on the spurious charges of forced conversions lodged by a Bajrang Dal functionary. The judicial system appeared to have doubled down on this carriage of injustice by sending the couple back to detention when the accuser failed to show up for the scheduled court hearings. “This points to the sad reality that religious freedom and constitutional rights are increasingly under serious threat in India,” said George Koshy, President of the FIACONA. “It should also be noted that there was hardly anybody ever convicted of forced conversions in India, and this harassment and intimidation of Indian Christians constitutes a violation of their human rights, and authorities in India are engaged in a grave injustice being silent accomplices to this ongoing debacle” added Mr. Koshy.

It appears that any Sangh Parivar guy could walk into a police station and file a complaint of forced conversion, and innocent people may be incarcerated indefinitely. It is as if the burden of proof in this regard has shifted to the accused, where he/she is now presumed to be guilty and compelled to prove their innocence. It runs counter to the letter and spirit of the constitution that has guaranteed one’s right to practice any religion. The efforts to intimidate and marginalize the Christian community is on the cards, and the Sangh Parivar activists have taken up that mission with utmost zeal and possibly with the silent approval of the authorities who run the country today.
FIACONA urges the authorities to intervene and release Rev. Abraham and his wife, Jiji, immediately from detention and grant due process to prove their case.