An archbishop in India is denying the accusations of a Hindu nationalist organization that “forced conversions” are taking place in the northern State of Uttar Pradesh.

The Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) – meaning Universal Hindu Council – announced it had identified 30 places in eastern Uttar Pradesh where alleged “forced conversions” by Christian missionaries are taking place.

“I deny this report, that forced conversion is taking place in Uttar Pradesh or anywhere in India. Any conversion is voluntary, and everyone has the freedom to follow the religion of his own choice,” Bishop Gerald John Mathias of Lucknow told Crux.

Uttar Pradesh is the most populous State in India, with nearly 200 million people. However, only about 350,000 Christians live in the state, a miniscule 0.18 percent of the population. By comparison, Christians make up nearly 2.5 percent of the whole of India’s population.

Uttar Pradesh, like the national government, is run by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), with strong links to the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), a militant Hindu nationalist organization.

The VHP is also one of the many organizations affiliated with the RSS.

Hindu nationalists often accuse Christians of using forceful and surreptitious tactics in pursuing conversions. They then storm into villages and lead “reconversion” ceremonies – called Ghar Vapsi, or “back to home” – in which Christians are compelled to perform Hindu rituals.

Mathias told Crux that “forcing people with organised Ghar Vapsi programs are forced conversion, and this must be stopped.”

In November, Uttar Pradesh proposed an anti-conversion law, imitating several other states in India. Christians say such laws violate India’s secular constitution, which guarantees freedom of religion.

“Christians in India have constitutional guarantees to practice our faith, share the Good News and the message of Christ, which is for all humanity. This is not conversion nor is anyone forced,” Mathias said.

“I categorically deny the false allegations of forced conversion.”

Goa Archbishop Filipe Neri Ferrao urged the central government to revoke the Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA), calling the law “divisive” and “discriminatory,” state BJP general secretary Narendra Sawaikar on Feb. 10 urged him to stop claiming benefits under Article 30 of the Indian Constitution, which protects minority educational institutions from government discrimination.

“If CAA is discriminatory than Article 30 of Constitution of India is more discriminatory. Don”t claim benefits at taxpayers money by claiming minority status! CAA, Archbishop,” Sawaikar, a former Lok Sabha MP tweeted. As per Article 30 (ii) of the Constitution of India “the state shall not, in granting aid to educational institutions, discriminate against any educational institution on the ground that it is under the management of a minority, whether based on religion or language.”

A group of Catholic religious has expressed solidarity with the women protesters of Shaheen Bagh in the national capital.

Around 25 Catholic priests and nuns from Delhi led by Presentation Sister Anastasia Gill on February 2 spent a day with the women who are protesting against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA)

“The Christian community rejects CAA as this piece of legislation that is against the spirit of the Constitution of India,” said Sister Gill while addressing thousands of women gathered at the south Delhi suburb for more than 50 days.

The nun, who is the Christian member of the Delhi Minorities Commission, said as “citizens of this great nation, Christians are in solidarity with the protesters as they defend the idea of India cherished by the father of our Nation Mahatma Gandhiji and Babasaheb Ambedkar.”

The Catholic religious sang with the protesters ‘Abide with me,” a favourite hymn of Mahatma Gandhi, and the popular hymn “Hum honge kaam yaab” (we will succeed), an anthem of many civil rights movements.

Shaheen Bagh protesters following the passage of Citizen-ship Amendment Act in both the houses of parliament the women spontaneously and peacefully began to demonstrate at Shaheen Bagh from Dec. 15. The women intensified their protest with the police brutality against the students of Jamia Millia Islamia.

A group Catholic priests and nuns working among the poorest and most marginalized communities in Maharashtra has opposed the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) as unconstitutional.

“The CAA is the first instance of religion being overtly used as criterion for citizenship under Indian nationality laws and therefore fundamentally discriminatory and divisive in nature,” says a press release from 36 representatives of 16 Catholic congregations that oppose the act.

The group called Justice Coalition of Religious that met in Mumbai recently also opposed National Population Register (NPR) and National Register of Citizens (NRC).

They said these laws are at odds with secular principles enshrined in the Constitution and contradict Articles 13, 14, 15, 16 and 21 that guarantee to every citizen the right to equality, equality before the law, and non-discriminatory treatment by the State.

The group attended on January 16-18 a capacity-building workshop titled, “Rights-based Advocacy in relation to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG).”

These religious work with urban and rural poor, Dalits and Adivasis, street children, women in prostitution, homeless populations, persons with disabilities and other poor and marginalized communities.

“As citizens deeply committed to a just and rights-based implementation of the SDGs, we strongly oppose the Citizenship Amendment Act as unconstitutional and therefore counterproductive with respect to SDG 16,” their statement asserts.

It expresses their deep concern about the negative fallout the proposed all-India-level National Population Register (NPR) and National Register of Citizens (NRC) will have on the people of the country, “disproportionately harming the poor, vulnerable, and marginalized and thereby nullifying efforts toward SDG 10 among others.”

Renowned preacher and author, Father Danny Capuchin is set to make a landmark in south Indian film industry with his story and screenplay in the upcoming Malayalam movie titled Varayan (striped).

According to reports made available to media on the first day of the project, Father Danny narrates the story of a young Capuchin priest who lands up in a remote and scary island and the events thereafter.

The lead role of the priest will be played by South Indian film actor Siju Wilson.

The first look poster of the movie was released on Jan 17 by Manju Warrier who is popularly known as the lady super star of Malayalam cinema. The poster features a firebrand young priest in a Capuchin friar’s habit.

Artists and the production team have high expectations for this movie which is reported to have a storyline that will appeal to the masses.

The scriptwriter himself being a Capuchin priest has created an extra interest to this upcoming movie. As the actor Siju Wilson mentioned in an interview, although he initially expected the story to have a religious theme, he was quite surprised by the serious content and entertainment offered by the story.

Father Danny is known for his unique way of preaching and talks both in India and abroad. He is also popular through several programs on television and radio.

He has authored several books including Daivom Peythirangunnu (God is raining down) – a novel in Malayalam; Prakasathinte Nizhal (shadow of light) – a character analysis, Mounam (silence) – a collection of articles. He is also a well known lyricist in Christian music.

Catholic churches under Calcutta arch-diocese will read out the Preamble to the Constitution after Sunday service on January 26, India’s Republic Day.

Archbishop Thomas D’Souza of Calcutta will send a circular to all 65 parishes in the city and the seven districts, conveying the decision to them. “The Preamble to the Constitution will be read out to uphold and safeguard the Constitution. I think under the present situation, understanding, upholding and being aware of the Constitution is more important than ever.

“We thanked God for the Constitution. We prayed for our country as we always do,” the archbishop said. “This is also an occasion to tell the congregation about the Constitution and many may not be aware of it. It will remind us of the values of liberty, equality and fraternity that the Preamble stands for.”

The Constitution was adopted by the Constituent Assembly on November 26, 1949, and it came into force on January 26, 1950.

The pastors will decide whether to read the Preamble inside the church or outside.

“Since childhood we have pledged to the nation and said ‘all Indians are my brothers and sisters.’ In the current context, it is our own brothers and sisters who are feeling that certain values of the Constitution are under threat. Reading the Preamble in front of God is also to say that it is sacred and cannot be taken lightly and guarding the Constitution is a duty each one of us have,” said Father Rodney Borneo, parish priest of St Ignatius Church in Kolkata. An inter-faith organization has called for the formation of a human chain from Golpark in the south to Shyambazar in the north on Republic Day to “celebrate and uphold the Constitution.”

“I am also asking the congregation to join the human chain wherever possible,” the archbishop said. Churches across the country traditionally celebrate the Republic Day and the Independence Day on August 15 with a variety of programs such as flag hoisting, singing of the National Anthem and talks on patriotism.