JABALPUR, India (UCAN) -- Church leaders say a court verdict directing the Madhya Pradesh state government to protect churches during Holy Week has vindicated the Church's stand that it "never indulges" in forced conversions.

On March 20, the Madhya Pradesh High Court directed the government to arrange police protection for Christian churches and gatherings on Good Friday, Holy Saturday and Easter Sunday, respectively March 21, 22 and 23.

The court order followed a petition filed by Father Anand Muttungal, spokesperson of the Catholic Church in the central Indian state, who told UCA News police protection was given for all church services and no untoward incidents were reported. According to him, Hindu fanatics attack Christians on allegations of converting poor and tribal people.

Archbishop Leo Cornelio of Bhopal told UCA News the court order was "a welcome step" that has vindicated the Church's insistence it "never indulges in conversion through force and allurement." The archbishop is based in the state capital of Bhopal, 745 kilometers south of New Delhi.

Archbishop Cornelio and other Church leaders say Christians and their institutions have been targeted in more than 100 attacks since the pro-Hindu Bharatiya Janata Party (Indian people's party) came to power in the state in December 2003.

Father Muttungal told UCA News the state police "never came to the rescue of the victims" but instead victimized the Christians further by registering cases against them. "This continued violation of our right to practice our religion as enshrined in the constitution forced the Church to move a public interest litigation seeking protection to the community and its places of worship," he explained.

The petition raised particular fear of attacks during Holy Week after some radical Hindu groups threatened to stage protests before churches across the state as Christians commemorated Christ's passion and resurrection.

Archbishop Cornelio said the court order from the state's highest legal authority has affirmed Christians' constitutional right to practice their religion without fear. Moreover, he pointed out the order also suggested a state law that regulates conversions was enacted on some false suppositions.

A 1968 Madhya Pradesh law makes converting or attempting to convert a person to a religion using force, allurement or fraudulent means a punishable offense. Church people oppose the law, saying the terms can be interpreted to tag almost any Church activity as an illegal attempt at conversion.

In Jabalpur, a major city in the state, 815 kilometers south of New Delhi, Bishop Gerald Almeida of Jabalpur told UCA News the court order was "a positive sign" as "the first official acceptance" of grievances Christians have raised during the past four years. He expects it will encourage Christians in the state to complain to the court about various hindrances they experience in practicing their faith.

Meanwhile, Father Muttungal said he is collecting more evidence of attacks on Christians and their institutions to present "a strong case" in court to gain Christians further assurance of their right to practice their faith without obstruction from Hindu radical groups.

END