When I mention religious tolerance in contemporary India to people, I still get startled reactions: Isn’t this the land of Gandhi, peace and pluralism? Yet the latest news is another reminder of a very different picture. Hindu nationalist forces, whose political party now governs India, have been planning mass “reconversion” ceremonies, including one for Christmas Day intended to “reconvert” thousands of Christians “back” to Hinduism. Fraud, bribery, and deceit typically accompany the conversions. Now the government has decided to ban the Christmas conversions for the sake of public order. See a BBC story here.
Across India’s northern border, religious repression and accompanying violence continues. See the latest piece of Knox Thames, who is always good on Pakistan.