Purpose of charity should not be religious conversion: SC

Apex court seeks response from Centre with inputs from states ◗ DURING A hearing on November 14, 2022, the top court had said that forced religious conversion is a ‘very serious issue’ and may affect ‘security of country’ along with the freedom of consci

The Supreme Court on Monday asked the Centre to file a detailed response with inputs from the state governments on the laws prohibiting religious conversion laws by use of force or enticement, observing forced or deceitful religious conversion is a serious matter.

Asking the Centre to file a detailed response affidavit after collecting information from the states, Justice M.R. Shah heading a bench also comprising Justice C.T. Ravikumar said: “It’s a very serious issue, ultimately this is against our Constitution. Everyone stays in India; they have to act as per the culture of India and also the religious harmony.”

Posting the matter for further hearing on December 12, the bench said that every charity or good work is welcome, but intention has to be checked.

The top court’s observations came in the course of the hearing of a plea by advocate Ashwini Upadhyay alleging that fraudulent and deceitful religious conversion is rampant across the country. The petitioner has sought a direction to the Law Commission of India to prepare a report and also a Bill to combat “deceitful religious conversion”. During a hearing on November 14, 2022, the top court had said that forced religious conversion is a “very serious issue” and may affect “security of country” along with the freedom of conscience of citizens as far as religion is concerned.

The Central government in its reply has said that it is “cognisant of the gravity and the seriousness” of the issue, and it shall be “taken up in all seriousness by the Union of India and appropriate steps shall be taken as the Central government is cognisant of the menace.”

The Gujarat government too in its reply has said that the right to freedom of religion does not include a fundamental right to convert other people to a particular religion and that too through fraud, deception, and allurement.