On Tuesday(18th June),The Rajasthan government informed the Supreme Court of its plans to introduce legislation against illegal religious conversions, emphasizing the need for stricter measures to curb fraudulent practices. An affidavit by Additional Superintendent of Police Bharat Lal Meena highlighted the state’s commitment to enacting this new law.
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NEW DELHI: On Tuesday(18th June), The Rajasthan government has informed the Supreme Court that it is in the process of introducing legislation to curb illegal religious conversions in the state. This development comes amid growing concerns over fraudulent conversions and the need for stricter legal measures to address the issue.
In an affidavit filed by the Additional Superintendent of Police, Bharat Lal Meena, the state government assured the Supreme Court of its commitment to enacting new legislation specifically targeting illegal religious conversions. The affidavit highlighted the state’s proactive stance in addressing the issue.
“The state of Rajasthan is in the process of drafting its own legislation and, until then, will strictly adhere to existing laws, guidelines, and directives issued by this Hon’ble Court.”
-stated the affidavit.
This indicates the state’s adherence to existing legal frameworks and its dedication to following judicial directives until the new law is formalized.
Background of the PIL:
The affidavit was submitted in response to a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed in 2022 by lawyer Ashwini Upadhyay. The PIL, represented by advocate Ashwani Dubey, sought the Supreme Court’s intervention to compel both the Central and state governments to implement stringent measures against fraudulent religious conversions.
Upadhyay’s petition emphasized the urgent need for legal safeguards against conversions carried out through coercion, intimidation, and deceitful tactics, including the lure of gifts and monetary benefits. The PIL underscored the prevalence of such malpractices and called for comprehensive legislation to prevent exploitation and protect individuals’ freedom of faith.
The Supreme Court has been actively engaged in addressing issues related to religious conversions and ensuring the protection of citizens’ rights. The Court’s directives have often emphasized the need for clear and effective legal frameworks to prevent forced or deceitful conversions.
In its affidavit, the Rajasthan government reiterated its commitment to adhering to the Supreme Court’s guidelines and directives on the matter. The state assured the Court that it would take all necessary steps to ensure compliance with existing laws while working towards the introduction of its own legislative measures.
The court’s observation came to light during a hearing where it sought a detailed response from the Central government.
The judges stated-
“Forcible religious conversions, if proven true, represent a ‘serious issue’ that could impact national security.”
In an interesting turn of events, the Supreme Court also revised the title of the ongoing case from ‘Ashwini Upadhyay Vs State’ to “In Re: The Issue Of Religious Conversion.” This change was initiated after the bench noted what it perceived as potentially derogatory remarks made against a minority community in the original petition. By altering the case title, the court aims to address the matter more neutrally and focus squarely on the broader issue of religious conversion without being overshadowed by controversial allegations.
Furthermore, the Supreme Court is currently examining several petitions that challenge the constitutionality of anti-conversion laws enacted by states such as Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh. These laws have been contentious, sparking debates over their alleged discriminatory nature towards specific minority communities. The petitioners argue that these laws are targeted and could unjustly marginalize minority groups, calling into question their alignment with the fundamental rights guaranteed under the Indian Constitution.