The Supreme Court has issued notice on the challenge to the Rajasthan Anti-Conversion Law, asking the State to file its response. The matter will be heard again after the reply is submitted, marking a crucial constitutional review ahead.
The Supreme Court has started hearing a writ petition filed by the Jaipur Catholic Welfare Society against the Rajasthan anti-conversion law.
The matter came before a Bench of Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta on Monday.
During the hearing, the counsel for the petitioner argued that the State has crossed the limits set by the Constitution and past Supreme Court judgments.
The lawyer said,
“This legislation far exceeds the boundaries set by this Court’s previous rulings. We have questioned both the State’s legislative competence and the Act’s overbreadth in light of constitutional limits.”
After listening to the submissions, the Bench decided to seek a response from the State of Rajasthan. The Court issued notice and directed that the replies must be filed within four weeks.
The petition challenges the constitutional validity of the anti-conversion law, claiming that it puts excessive restrictions on the right to freedom of religion and gives the State powers that go beyond what Article 25 permits.
The Supreme Court will examine whether the law is consistent with earlier judgments that protect voluntary religious conversions while preventing forced or fraudulent ones.
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The case will be taken up again after the State files its response.
Legal Provisions on Religious Conversions in India
- Constitutional Right:
Article 25 of the Indian Constitution guarantees freedom of conscience and the right to freely profess, practice, and propagate religion. However, this right is subject to public order, morality, and health. - No Central Anti-Conversion Law:
India does not have a central law banning religious conversions. However, several states have enacted their own laws to regulate or restrict conversions. - State Laws (Anti-Conversion Laws):
At least 10 Indian states, including Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, and Odisha, have laws that prohibit conversion by force, fraud, inducement, or allurement. These laws often require individuals to inform district authorities before converting. - Punishments:
Violations of these laws can lead to fines and imprisonment, with stricter penalties if the victim belongs to a Scheduled Caste, Scheduled Tribe, or is a minor or woman. - Judicial Review:
The Supreme Court has held in past rulings (e.g., Rev. Stanislaus v. State of Madhya Pradesh, 1977) that the right to “propagate” religion does not include the right to convert others by coercion or fraud.
Case Title: JAIPUR CATHOLIC WELFARE SOCIETY V THE STATE OF RAJASTHAN AND ORS. W.P.(C) No. 1108/2025