Rajasthan Moves Towards Anti-Conversion Law: Informs Supreme Court
Update –
The Supreme Court has been informed by the State of Rajasthan that it is currently undertaking steps to enact legislation aimed at preventing forced religious conversions.
Case Title – In Re: The Issue of Religious Conversion
Case No. – WP(C) No. 63 of 2022
Key aspects –
In response to a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) aimed at curbing fraudulent and coercive religious conversions, the State submitted an affidavit indicating the absence of specific legislation addressing religious conversions but pledged adherence to existing laws and Supreme Court guidelines until new legislation is enacted. Filed by BJP member Advocate Ashwini Upadhyaya in 2022, the PIL urged stringent measures to prevent conversions induced by intimidation, deception, or promises of gifts or financial benefits.
The Supreme Court, comprising Justices MR Shah and Hima Kohli, acknowledged the seriousness of allegations regarding forceful conversions, emphasizing potential national security implications. Seeking responses from both the Centre and various States, the Court expressed concern over derogatory statements made in the petition about minority religions, instructing their removal. It also amended the case title to “In Re: The Issue Of Religious Conversion,” and consolidated this PIL with others challenging anti-conversion laws enacted by states like Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Haryana, and Gujarat.
In a separate development, during another hearing, the Supreme Court bench commented that certain provisions of the Uttar Pradesh anti-conversion law seemed to infringe upon Article 25 of the Constitution, which guarantees religious freedom. These developments underscore ongoing legal scrutiny and debate surrounding religious conversion laws in India.
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Written by – Anurag Das