Bishop Paul Swaroop of the Church of North India, Delhi Diocese, has strongly rejected allegations of religious conversion against Christians. Speaking as the chief guest at a seminar on “Media’s Role in Uniting India and Its People” at the Deputy Speaker Hall of Constitution Club, New Delhi, he said although the Christian population in India has remained around 2.5% for decades, Christians continue to face allegations of conversion. Pastors and nuns are falsely accused, harassed, subjected to violence, and even imprisoned on such charges.
Bishop Swaroop pointed out that Christians are being persecuted under the cover of anti-conversion laws, with several incidents reported recently.
“If the allegations against us were true, our population would not have remained stagnant at around 2.5% for decades. These accusations are groundless and have nothing to do with reality,” he said.
Speaking to the media, he further explained that Article 341 of the Constitution, under a Presidential Order issued in 1949, continues to deny Dalits and SC/ST individuals who embrace Christianity the benefits they are otherwise entitled to.
“This order remains in effect to this day, despite the matter being pending in court for a long time without justification. Others who renounce Hinduism and adopt Buddhism or Sikhism continue to retain their benefits, but Muslims and Christians are excluded from this,” he added.