Foreigners deported for indulging in proselytizing

In Kerala, the fertile land for foreign missionaries to come and stay masquerading as tourists and freely undertake conversion activities, the High Court has intervened and ordered deportation of a three-member family for indulging in proselytizing activities.

In fact, the state has numerous organizations of evangelists having countrywide network and an army of workers to convert poor Hindus living in rural areas. And yet, these people come under the disguise of tourists and play their part for their religion.

They had challenged the Government of India’s deportation order  in the Kerala High Court which dismissed the writ appeal filed by a South African national.

The Division Bench comprising Chief Justice Rajeev Gupta and Justice K S Radhakrishnan ruled that the Foreigners Act did not provide for filing objections against the GOI order, issued under section 3(2)(c) of the Foreigners Act, on the basis of a report of the Ernakulam Rural Superintendent of Police, which was supported by adequate proof.

The petitioners, consisting of Pretorius Barend Johnes Pretenas of South Africa, his German wife Sylivia Christini Pretenas and their son Bjoren Pretorius of German natitionlity, were charged with indulging in conversion of tribals of Keerampara in Ernakulam district into Christianity.

While Pretenas filed an appeal against a single bench order, petitions were also filed on behalf of the other two. However, all the petitions were dismissed.