I've copied and pasted the stuff below from the book Forgery In Christianity, online at http://www.infidels.org/library/historical.../chapter_7.html
It goes through some of the laws enacted by Christian emperors against the pagan character of Rome. The bit in bold is to indicate the present stage of Hindu India. For all those who are interested, read the whole excerpt to its conclusion.
<!--QuoteBegin-->QUOTE<!--QuoteEBegin-->Â Â Â Beginning with Constantine, and under succeeding "Christian"
emperors, there is a series of scores of laws which the Christians
procured to be enacted for the suppression and persecution to death
of Pagans, heretics and Jews. These laws and edicts are to be found
in the Codes of Theodosius and of Justinian, the two famous
codifleations of Roman Law. To <i>exhibit the progressive and
persistent system of proscription to which all but themselves were
persecutingly subjected by the "Orthodox" Christians</i>, I shall
simply quote the titles of some of these laws, with indication of
the names of the Emperors issuing them, the dates and number of the
laws, and the Code or other source in which it is preserved.
            LAWS OF CONSTANTINE
   The earliest laws of Constantine were those granting religious
toleration, as the Edict of Milan (313) already quoted, and laws
for the redress of injuries done to Christians; such as release of
prisoners and those in servitude, and the restoration of property;
chapter 36 declares that "The Church is the heir of those who leave
no kindred; and free gifts to it are confirmed"; chapter 41: "Those
who have purchased property belonging to the Church or received it
as a gift, are to restore it." (Eusebius, Vita Constantine, N&PNF.
Bk. II, chs. xxiv-xliii.)
   "Edict to the People of the Provinces Concerning the Error of
Polytheism." (Ib. chs. xlviii-xlix.)
   "Granting Money to the Churches." (Ib. Bk, x, ch. vi.)
   "Catholic Clergy exempt from Certain Civic Duties." (Code
Theod. xvi, 2, 1; 313.) "The Catholic Church freed from Tribute."
(Id. xi, 1, 1; 815.) "Clergymen freed from Financial Burdens." (Id.
xvi, 2, 2; 319.) "The Church allowed to Receive Bequests." (Id.
xvi, 2, 4; 321.)
   "Bishop's Powers as Judges and Witnesses": "Whatever may be
settled by a sentence of bishops shall ever be held as sacred and
venerable ... All testimony given, even by a single bishop, shall
be accepted without hesitation, by every judge, neither shall the
testimony of any other witness be heard, when the testimony of a
bishop is brought forward by either party"! (Const. Sirm. i; 333.)
   "The Day of the Sun a Time of Rest." "All judges, and city
folk and all craftsmen shall rest on the venerated day of the Sun."
(Cod. Just. iii, 12, 2; 321.)
   "As it has seemed most unworthy that the Day of the Sun,
famous by its venerable character, ... Therefore on the festive
day." (Cod. Theod. ii, 8, 1; 321.)
   A number of laws follow in favor of the Pagans, and <b>while
prohibiting "private divination and soothsaying," and "Malevolent
Magic Prohibited, but Beneficial Magic Encouraged"</b>; also exempting
Pagan Flamens, priests and magistrates from sundry restrictions and
disabilities. No law of Constantine seems to be preserved which
prescribes active persecution; he seems to have sought to hold an
even balance of toleration to Pagans and Christians. But that he
did enact such laws seems to be proved by recital in the first of
the laws of his sons, Constantius and Constans, who were Arian
heretics.
        LAWS OF CONSTANTIUS AND CONSTANS
   "Sacrifice Prohibited.": "Let superstition cease and the folly
of sacrifices be abolished. Whoever has dared in the face of the
law of the divine prince, our father [Constantine] ... to make
sacrifices, shall have appropriate penalty, and immediate sentence
dealt to him." (Cod. Theod. xvi, 10, 2; 341.)
   "All Temples Closed and Sacrifices Forbidden." "but if any one
commit any offense of this sort, let him fall by the avenging
sword," and his property forfeited; judges neglecting to "mete out
penalties for these offenses, they shall be similarly punished."
(Cod. Theod. xvi, 10, 4; 846.)
   "Sacrificing and Idolatry Punishable by Death." "We order that
all found guilty of attending sacrifices or of worshipping idols
shall suffer capital punishment." (Id. xvi, 10, 6; 356.)
         LAWS OF GRATIAN AND THEODOSIUS
   "Wills of Apostate Christians to be Set Aside": "The right of
making a will shall be taken from Christians who become pagans; and
if such persons make wills, they shall be set aside without regard
to circumstances." (Cod. Theod. xvi, 7, 1; 381:
cf. Cod. Justin. i, 7, 2; 382.)
   "The Right to Bequeath or Inherit Property Denied Apostates":
"We deny to Christians and the faithful who have adopted pagan
rites and religion all power of making a will in favor of any
person whatsoever, in order that they may be without the Roman law
[outlaws]; ... even of enjoying a will with the power of acquiring
an inheritance." (Cod. Theod. xvi, 7, 2; 383.) "The Right of Making
a Will Denied Christians Who enter Temples." ( Id. xvi, 7, 3; 383.)
        LAWS OF THEODOSIUS AND VALENTINIAN
   "Testamentary Disqualification for Christian Apostates," and
Outlawry as Witnesses. -- "Those who betray the sacred faith and
profane holy baptism are shut off from association of all and from
giving testimony. ... They may not exercise the right of making a
will, nor enter upon any inheritance; they may not be made anyone's
heir." (Id. xvi, 7, 4; 391.)
   "Sacrificing and Visiting Shrines Prohibited." (Id. xvi, 10,
10; 391.) -- "Sacrifices Forbidden and Temples Closed." (Id. xvi,
10, 11; 391.)
   "PAGANISM OUTLAWED." -- "IF any one dares [to sacrifice,
etc.], let any man be free to accuse him and let him receive, as
one guilty of lese majeste, ... for it is sufficiently a crime."
(Id. xvi, 10. 12; 392.)
         LAWS OF HONORIUS AND ARCADIUS
   "Pagan Holidays Abolished." (Cod. Theod. ii, 8, 22; 895.) --
"Privileges of Pagan Priests Abolished." (Id. xvi, 10, 14; 396.) --
"Rural Temples to be Destroyed." (Id. xvi. 10, 16; 399.) --
"Temples to be Appropriated by the Churches." (Id. xvi, 5, 43;
408.) -- "Temples to be Appropriated by the Churches. Temple
Buildings and their Revenues to be Confiscated and idols and
Shrines to be Destroyed." (Id. xvi, 5, 43; xvi, 10, 19; 407.)
   "Only Catholics to Serve as Palace Guards." (Cod. Theod. xvi.
5, 42; 408.)
   "Laws Against the Pagans to be Enforced": "The Donatists and
other vain heretics and those others who cannot be converted to the
worship of the Catholic communion, Jews and Gentiles who are
vulgarly known as pagans; ... Let all judges understand, and not
fail to carry out all decrees against such persons." (Id. xvi,. 5,
46; 409.)
   "Pagans Barred from Civil and Military Offices." (Id. xvi, 10,
21; 416.)
   "Existing Laws against Pagans to be Enforced." (Id. xvi, 10,
22; 423.) -- "Pagans Who Sacrifice Shall Lose their Property and be
Exiled"' (Id. xvi, 10, 23; 423.)
   "Pagan Superstition to be Rooted Out": "We are extirpating all
heresies and all falsehoods, all schisms and all superstitions of
the pagans and all errors that are inimicable to the Catholic
religion. ... And since all attempt at supplication is denied
forever, they will be punished with the severity befitting crimes."
(Id. xvi, 5, 63; 423.)
   "Pagans Barred from Pleading a Case or Serving as Soldiers":
"... and every sect unfriendly with the Catholics should be driven
out of every city in order that they may not be sullied by the
contagious presence of criminals. We deny to Jews or pagans the
right of pleading a case in court or of serving as soldiers."
(Const. Sirm. No. 6; 425.)
          LATER LAWS AGAINST PAGANISM
   "Pagan Rites Forbidden and Bequests for Pagan Cults
Prohibited." (Cod. Just. i, 11, 9; 472.)
   "Baptized Persons who follow Pagan Practices to Suffer Death.
Provisions for the Conversion of the Unbaptized. Pagans Forbidden
to Give Instruction." (Cod. Just. 1, 11, 10; no date given.)
   "Pagans Barred from Office and their Real Property
Confiscated." "The Emperors Justin and Justinian. ... It is our
intention to restore the existing laws which affect the rest of the
heretics of whatever name they are, (and we label as heretic
whoever is not a member of the Catholic Church and of our orthodox
and holy faith); likewise the pagans who attempt to introduce the
worship of many gods, and the Jews and the Samaritans. ... We
forbid any of the above-mentioned persons to aspire to any dignity
or to acquire civil or military office or to attain to any rank."
(Id. i, 5, 12; 527.)
   Thus was Pagan Superstition proscribed and destroyed by Christian law and sword; and the identical Pagan Superstitions under the veneer of the name of Christian established and enthroned. The subject is thoroughly examined by Prof. Maude A. Huttmann, in The Establishment of Christianity Through the Proscription of Paganism<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->The sentence in blue is stating that it was through these increasingly anti-pagan laws that Rome's pagan character was destroyed and that Christianity was enforced (Rome became Christian).
In India's case, acts of inhumanity ought to be punished. And regular laws have the power to do that - just like is stated here:<!--QuoteBegin-rajesh_g+Jul 25 2006, 10:32 PM-->QUOTE(rajesh_g @ Jul 25 2006, 10:32 PM)<!--QuoteEBegin-->http://www.hindujagruti.org/eng/phpnews/ne...fullnews&id=607
<!--QuoteBegin--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE<!--QuoteEBegin-->Spokesperson, Hindu Janajagruti Samiti Dr Durgesh Samant explains why he's not happy with the Act. He told CNBC-TV18, "The many so-called offences in this Bill are covered by the Indian Penal Code. For example, under the pretext of expelling a ghost - if anyone assaults a person by tying him/her with a rope, then there is Section 319-329 for causing hurt, Section 320 for grievous hurt, Section 336 is for endangering life and personal safety, Section 508 is for making a person do something by threatening that not doing the act would subject him to divine displeasure, Section 117 is for impersonating a public servant, Section 497 is for adultery and Section 417 is for cheating.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->[right][snapback]54559[/snapback][/right]<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->But these new anti-witchcraft laws in India are not for preventing abuse at all. They are aimed at destroying non-ChristoIslamism in India.
Also, why do we have a law against adultery ('Section 497 is for adultery')? It is biblical.
Adultery in Hinduism (and in truly secular countries) is an ethical dilemma not a crime for the law to punish. Did section 497 enter during British colonial rule?
It goes through some of the laws enacted by Christian emperors against the pagan character of Rome. The bit in bold is to indicate the present stage of Hindu India. For all those who are interested, read the whole excerpt to its conclusion.
<!--QuoteBegin-->QUOTE<!--QuoteEBegin-->Â Â Â Beginning with Constantine, and under succeeding "Christian"
emperors, there is a series of scores of laws which the Christians
procured to be enacted for the suppression and persecution to death
of Pagans, heretics and Jews. These laws and edicts are to be found
in the Codes of Theodosius and of Justinian, the two famous
codifleations of Roman Law. To <i>exhibit the progressive and
persistent system of proscription to which all but themselves were
persecutingly subjected by the "Orthodox" Christians</i>, I shall
simply quote the titles of some of these laws, with indication of
the names of the Emperors issuing them, the dates and number of the
laws, and the Code or other source in which it is preserved.
            LAWS OF CONSTANTINE
   The earliest laws of Constantine were those granting religious
toleration, as the Edict of Milan (313) already quoted, and laws
for the redress of injuries done to Christians; such as release of
prisoners and those in servitude, and the restoration of property;
chapter 36 declares that "The Church is the heir of those who leave
no kindred; and free gifts to it are confirmed"; chapter 41: "Those
who have purchased property belonging to the Church or received it
as a gift, are to restore it." (Eusebius, Vita Constantine, N&PNF.
Bk. II, chs. xxiv-xliii.)
   "Edict to the People of the Provinces Concerning the Error of
Polytheism." (Ib. chs. xlviii-xlix.)
   "Granting Money to the Churches." (Ib. Bk, x, ch. vi.)
   "Catholic Clergy exempt from Certain Civic Duties." (Code
Theod. xvi, 2, 1; 313.) "The Catholic Church freed from Tribute."
(Id. xi, 1, 1; 815.) "Clergymen freed from Financial Burdens." (Id.
xvi, 2, 2; 319.) "The Church allowed to Receive Bequests." (Id.
xvi, 2, 4; 321.)
   "Bishop's Powers as Judges and Witnesses": "Whatever may be
settled by a sentence of bishops shall ever be held as sacred and
venerable ... All testimony given, even by a single bishop, shall
be accepted without hesitation, by every judge, neither shall the
testimony of any other witness be heard, when the testimony of a
bishop is brought forward by either party"! (Const. Sirm. i; 333.)
   "The Day of the Sun a Time of Rest." "All judges, and city
folk and all craftsmen shall rest on the venerated day of the Sun."
(Cod. Just. iii, 12, 2; 321.)
   "As it has seemed most unworthy that the Day of the Sun,
famous by its venerable character, ... Therefore on the festive
day." (Cod. Theod. ii, 8, 1; 321.)
   A number of laws follow in favor of the Pagans, and <b>while
prohibiting "private divination and soothsaying," and "Malevolent
Magic Prohibited, but Beneficial Magic Encouraged"</b>; also exempting
Pagan Flamens, priests and magistrates from sundry restrictions and
disabilities. No law of Constantine seems to be preserved which
prescribes active persecution; he seems to have sought to hold an
even balance of toleration to Pagans and Christians. But that he
did enact such laws seems to be proved by recital in the first of
the laws of his sons, Constantius and Constans, who were Arian
heretics.
        LAWS OF CONSTANTIUS AND CONSTANS
   "Sacrifice Prohibited.": "Let superstition cease and the folly
of sacrifices be abolished. Whoever has dared in the face of the
law of the divine prince, our father [Constantine] ... to make
sacrifices, shall have appropriate penalty, and immediate sentence
dealt to him." (Cod. Theod. xvi, 10, 2; 341.)
   "All Temples Closed and Sacrifices Forbidden." "but if any one
commit any offense of this sort, let him fall by the avenging
sword," and his property forfeited; judges neglecting to "mete out
penalties for these offenses, they shall be similarly punished."
(Cod. Theod. xvi, 10, 4; 846.)
   "Sacrificing and Idolatry Punishable by Death." "We order that
all found guilty of attending sacrifices or of worshipping idols
shall suffer capital punishment." (Id. xvi, 10, 6; 356.)
         LAWS OF GRATIAN AND THEODOSIUS
   "Wills of Apostate Christians to be Set Aside": "The right of
making a will shall be taken from Christians who become pagans; and
if such persons make wills, they shall be set aside without regard
to circumstances." (Cod. Theod. xvi, 7, 1; 381:
cf. Cod. Justin. i, 7, 2; 382.)
   "The Right to Bequeath or Inherit Property Denied Apostates":
"We deny to Christians and the faithful who have adopted pagan
rites and religion all power of making a will in favor of any
person whatsoever, in order that they may be without the Roman law
[outlaws]; ... even of enjoying a will with the power of acquiring
an inheritance." (Cod. Theod. xvi, 7, 2; 383.) "The Right of Making
a Will Denied Christians Who enter Temples." ( Id. xvi, 7, 3; 383.)
        LAWS OF THEODOSIUS AND VALENTINIAN
   "Testamentary Disqualification for Christian Apostates," and
Outlawry as Witnesses. -- "Those who betray the sacred faith and
profane holy baptism are shut off from association of all and from
giving testimony. ... They may not exercise the right of making a
will, nor enter upon any inheritance; they may not be made anyone's
heir." (Id. xvi, 7, 4; 391.)
   "Sacrificing and Visiting Shrines Prohibited." (Id. xvi, 10,
10; 391.) -- "Sacrifices Forbidden and Temples Closed." (Id. xvi,
10, 11; 391.)
   "PAGANISM OUTLAWED." -- "IF any one dares [to sacrifice,
etc.], let any man be free to accuse him and let him receive, as
one guilty of lese majeste, ... for it is sufficiently a crime."
(Id. xvi, 10. 12; 392.)
         LAWS OF HONORIUS AND ARCADIUS
   "Pagan Holidays Abolished." (Cod. Theod. ii, 8, 22; 895.) --
"Privileges of Pagan Priests Abolished." (Id. xvi, 10, 14; 396.) --
"Rural Temples to be Destroyed." (Id. xvi. 10, 16; 399.) --
"Temples to be Appropriated by the Churches." (Id. xvi, 5, 43;
408.) -- "Temples to be Appropriated by the Churches. Temple
Buildings and their Revenues to be Confiscated and idols and
Shrines to be Destroyed." (Id. xvi, 5, 43; xvi, 10, 19; 407.)
   "Only Catholics to Serve as Palace Guards." (Cod. Theod. xvi.
5, 42; 408.)
   "Laws Against the Pagans to be Enforced": "The Donatists and
other vain heretics and those others who cannot be converted to the
worship of the Catholic communion, Jews and Gentiles who are
vulgarly known as pagans; ... Let all judges understand, and not
fail to carry out all decrees against such persons." (Id. xvi,. 5,
46; 409.)
   "Pagans Barred from Civil and Military Offices." (Id. xvi, 10,
21; 416.)
   "Existing Laws against Pagans to be Enforced." (Id. xvi, 10,
22; 423.) -- "Pagans Who Sacrifice Shall Lose their Property and be
Exiled"' (Id. xvi, 10, 23; 423.)
   "Pagan Superstition to be Rooted Out": "We are extirpating all
heresies and all falsehoods, all schisms and all superstitions of
the pagans and all errors that are inimicable to the Catholic
religion. ... And since all attempt at supplication is denied
forever, they will be punished with the severity befitting crimes."
(Id. xvi, 5, 63; 423.)
   "Pagans Barred from Pleading a Case or Serving as Soldiers":
"... and every sect unfriendly with the Catholics should be driven
out of every city in order that they may not be sullied by the
contagious presence of criminals. We deny to Jews or pagans the
right of pleading a case in court or of serving as soldiers."
(Const. Sirm. No. 6; 425.)
          LATER LAWS AGAINST PAGANISM
   "Pagan Rites Forbidden and Bequests for Pagan Cults
Prohibited." (Cod. Just. i, 11, 9; 472.)
   "Baptized Persons who follow Pagan Practices to Suffer Death.
Provisions for the Conversion of the Unbaptized. Pagans Forbidden
to Give Instruction." (Cod. Just. 1, 11, 10; no date given.)
   "Pagans Barred from Office and their Real Property
Confiscated." "The Emperors Justin and Justinian. ... It is our
intention to restore the existing laws which affect the rest of the
heretics of whatever name they are, (and we label as heretic
whoever is not a member of the Catholic Church and of our orthodox
and holy faith); likewise the pagans who attempt to introduce the
worship of many gods, and the Jews and the Samaritans. ... We
forbid any of the above-mentioned persons to aspire to any dignity
or to acquire civil or military office or to attain to any rank."
(Id. i, 5, 12; 527.)
   Thus was Pagan Superstition proscribed and destroyed by Christian law and sword; and the identical Pagan Superstitions under the veneer of the name of Christian established and enthroned. The subject is thoroughly examined by Prof. Maude A. Huttmann, in The Establishment of Christianity Through the Proscription of Paganism<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->The sentence in blue is stating that it was through these increasingly anti-pagan laws that Rome's pagan character was destroyed and that Christianity was enforced (Rome became Christian).
In India's case, acts of inhumanity ought to be punished. And regular laws have the power to do that - just like is stated here:<!--QuoteBegin-rajesh_g+Jul 25 2006, 10:32 PM-->QUOTE(rajesh_g @ Jul 25 2006, 10:32 PM)<!--QuoteEBegin-->http://www.hindujagruti.org/eng/phpnews/ne...fullnews&id=607
<!--QuoteBegin--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE<!--QuoteEBegin-->Spokesperson, Hindu Janajagruti Samiti Dr Durgesh Samant explains why he's not happy with the Act. He told CNBC-TV18, "The many so-called offences in this Bill are covered by the Indian Penal Code. For example, under the pretext of expelling a ghost - if anyone assaults a person by tying him/her with a rope, then there is Section 319-329 for causing hurt, Section 320 for grievous hurt, Section 336 is for endangering life and personal safety, Section 508 is for making a person do something by threatening that not doing the act would subject him to divine displeasure, Section 117 is for impersonating a public servant, Section 497 is for adultery and Section 417 is for cheating.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->[right][snapback]54559[/snapback][/right]<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->But these new anti-witchcraft laws in India are not for preventing abuse at all. They are aimed at destroying non-ChristoIslamism in India.
Also, why do we have a law against adultery ('Section 497 is for adultery')? It is biblical.
Adultery in Hinduism (and in truly secular countries) is an ethical dilemma not a crime for the law to punish. Did section 497 enter during British colonial rule?