Supreme Court Examines Constitutionality of Anti-Conversion Laws Across Ten Indian States
The Supreme Court is hearing petitions challenging the validity of 'Freedom of Religion' Acts enacted by ten Indian states. These laws, often called anti-conversion laws, aim to prevent conversions through allurement, fraud, or force. Petitioners argue that these laws are 'virtually anti-conversion' and have a 'chilling effect' on the fundamental right to profess and propagate religion under Article 25. The Court is questioning the definition of 'deceitful' conversion and whether these laws interfere with personal liberty and the right to choose a life partner in inter-faith marriages.
Key Points
- Ten Indian states have enacted stringent anti-conversion laws, which are being challenged for violating constitutional rights.
- Article 25 of the Constitution guarantees the right to freely profess, practice, and propagate religion, subject to public order.
- Critics argue that the burden of proof in these laws often lies on the convert, which may be unconstitutional.
- The laws are scrutinized for their impact on inter-faith marriages and the potential for third parties to file criminal complaints.
Exam Facts
- Article 25: Freedom of conscience and free profession, practice and propagation of religion.
- States with such laws: UP, Himachal Pradesh, MP, Uttarakhand, Gujarat, Chhattisgarh, Haryana, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Rajasthan.
- The punishment under some of these laws includes a minimum 20-year sentence or life imprisonment.
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