Prayagraj: In a significant ruling today, the Allahabad High Court expressed grave concerns about the persistent trend of religious conversions during congregations, warning that unchecked acts could lead to the majority population of India becoming a minority. Justice Rohit Ranjan Agarwal, presiding over the bench, emphasized the urgency of halting these religious gatherings where conversions are occurring. “If this process is allowed to be carried out, the majority population of this country would be in minority one day, and such religious congregations should be immediately stopped where the conversion is taking place and changing the religion of citizens of India,” stated the court.
The court further asserted that these conversions violate Article 25 of the Indian Constitution, which safeguards the right to freedom of conscience and free profession, practice, and propagation of religion. “Article 25 provides for Freedom of conscience and free profession, practice, and propagation of religion, but it does not provide for conversion from one faith to another faith. The word ‘Propagation’ means to promote, but it does not mean to convert any person from his religion to another religion,” the court observed.
The court also highlighted the alarmingly high prevalence of illegal Christian conversions in Uttar Pradesh among members of Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST), and other economically marginalized communities. These statements were made during the hearing of a bail plea by a man named Kailash, who was charged by the Uttar Pradesh Police under section 3/5(1) of the U.P. Prohibition of Unlawful Conversion of Religion Act, 2021, and Section 365 (kidnapping or abducting with intent to secretly and wrongfully confine a person) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).
Kailash was alleged to have taken villagers to a social gathering in Delhi, where they were converted to Christianity. According to the complaint lodged against him, he promised the informant that her mentally ill brother would receive treatment and return within a week, only to be converted instead. In the FIR, Kailash was also charged with converting numerous people to Christianity.
Kailash’s defense argued that the informant’s brother had only attended a Christian faith and well-being gathering rather than being converted. They contended that statements implicating Kailash should not be believed at this early stage, especially since Sonu Paster, who organized the gathering, had already been granted bail.
Nevertheless, the court rejected Kailash’s plea for bail, noting the gravity of the accusations and the testimony of witnesses and victims who claimed he had been actively involved in escorting individuals to religious congregations in New Delhi.
This decision underscores the court’s firm stance on religious conversions and draws attention to the controversy surrounding the issue in Uttar Pradesh.
Mahi Saha
Mahi Saha, from Ranchi, reports for Neo Politico.
