Hearing about the good work I have done in the area of Counselling and restoration of children in conflict with the law, I was visited by a member of the juvenile justice board from another city. JJB member holds the power of first-class magistrate as a bench. Usually, they are politically appointed and belong to a certain fanatic organization.  After having a general conversation he asked:

Member: You are from which city?

I was born and brought up in this city itself.

Member: What is your religious faith?

Christianity

Member: Your forefathers must have converted to Christianity….

Must have

Member: Why don’t you consider coming back to Hinduism? 

Certainly I am free to choose which faith I should subscribe to. I think I am freer than you to convert to a different religion. 

Member: how come?

Can you convert to Islam or Christianity?

Member: for that, I need to have the willingness. 

Suppose you have the willingness to do so, can you?

Member: Well in America I can but not in India.

So you would concede that I have more freedom to become a Hindu than you have to become a Muslim or Christian in India. 

Member: Yes 

We should respect free will without which freedom is not possible and not build Taliban-kind of a society and take away the people’s free will because it will affect everyone negatively. 

(After having this conversation he asked me to help him with the psychological issues he faces. I am hoping to continue the conversation or he would meet Apollos to water it)