Supreme Court: “Very Serious Matter” Apex court issues a big statement on religious conversions

Supreme Court: The Supreme Court noted on Monday that forced religious conversion is a “very serious issue” that could have an impact on both national security and citizen freedom. It subsequently requested that the Centre make it clear what steps it can take to address the threat.

Ashwini Kumar Upadhyay, a lawyer and BJP leader, filed a petition asking the Union and state governments to take action to stop black magic, superstition, and coercive religious conversion. A bench of Justices M.R. Shah and Hima Kohli was hearing the petition.

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What did the Supreme Court say?

“The issue with respect to alleged conversion of religion, if it is found to be correct and true, is a very serious issue which may ultimately affect the security of the nation as well as the freedom of religion and conscience of the citizens. Therefore, it is better that Union government may make their stand clear and file counter on what further steps can be taken by Union and/or others to curb such forced conversation maybe by force, allurement or fraudulent means,” the top court said.

“Where is your stand by way of counter? Very serious and sincere efforts are to be made,” Justice Shah told the Centre’s Solicitor General Tushar Mehta.

Mehta acknowledged that people are frequently converted to other religions in tribal areas when they are offered food incentives like rice and wheat. He further said that the Centre would respond to the matter by Monday.

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Centre needs to submit report by 22nd November

There may be religious freedom, but there is no freedom from being coerced into a certain faith, the court noted. It instructed Centre to halt such coercive conversion before things get complicated. Mehta emphasised throughout the hearing that the supreme court has maintained the legality of acts that Madhya Pradesh and Odisha both passed to avoid forced religious conversion.

The bench set the subject for a second hearing on November 28 and instructed the Center to submit its reply by November 22.

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