INDIA: The apex court of jurisdiction, on Monday, passed an order, declaring forced religious conversions a serious offense. A Public Interest Litigation (PIL) is filed by Delhi BJP leader Ashwini Kumar Upadhyay seeking preventive measures against the same.
Justices Shah and Kohli passes order on forced religious conversion
“The security of the country and peoples’ freedom of conscience and religion may ultimately be compromised if the forced religious conversion is proven to be accurate and true,” a bench led by Justices MR Shah and Hima Kohli stated in relation to the plea.
The bench ordered Solicitor General Tushar Mehta to file an affidavit detailing and taking measures to curb the practice.
According to SC, “religious conversion may impair both citizens’ freedom of conscience and the security of the nation.” So, MR Shah explained, “The security of the country may also be impacted by forced conversion. Therefore, it would be preferable if the Center made it clear where it stands and what efforts it is taking to put an end to forced conversions.”
He went on to say, “The Centre will make serious steps to prevent forced conversions. Otherwise, a serious situation will emerge.”
According to the petitioner, it’s a pan-India problem so he damned a separate law to control such conversions or the offense should be added to the existing Indian Penal Code (IPC).
As per the petitioner, the forced religious conversion, might result in “intimidation, threatening, and deceptively enticing through gifts and financial incentives.” It’s a “really significant issue” that demands additional attention.
In order to avoid a delay in the next hearing, which is planned for November 28, the centre ordered that any answer and counter-affidavits be submitted before November 22.
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