The Allahabad High Court has recently observed that the right to freedom of religion does not include the right to convert others. The court presented the observation in light of an accused carrying out illegal conversion. The court has also denied the accused individual’s bail. The court ruled that the Indian constitution grants all citizens the right to practice, profess, and propagate their religion but it cannot be extended to construe a collective right to proselytize or convert other people to their religion.
Justice Rahit Ranjan Agarwal Rejects Bail Plea In Conversion Case
The observation from the Allahabad High Court comes after a case booked by Justice Rohit Ranjan Agarwal in the Maharajganj area of Uttar Pradesh under Sections 3 and 5(1) of the Uttar Pradesh Prohibition of Unlawful Conversion of Religion Act of 2021. Justice Rohit Ranjan rejected the bail plea of the accused Shriniwas Rav Nayak in the case. Shriniwas Nayak was a native of Andhra Pradesh and was booked under the act for allegedly converting a few Hindus to Christianity. He promised the Hindus relief from pain and an improved life upon converting to Christianity. Many Hindus agreed and began following Christianity while also praying.
Informant Brijlal Discloses Conversion Program In Maharajganj
One of them, named Brijlal, refused to convert, escaped, and informed the police. The informed Brijlal told the police that he was invited to the house of the accused in the Maharajganj district on February 15 this year, along with many others. He said that most people there belonged to the Scheduled Caste community. The accused Shriniwas along with a co-accused, Ravindar, allegedly asked the informant and others to leave Hinduism and accept Christianity as a religion with a promise of progress in life.
Allahabad High Court Cites The 2021 Act Concerning Conversion
After Brijlal complained about the matter to the police, the Allahabad High Court on Tuesday, July 9, acknowledged the case, further stating that the 2021 law clearly prohibits the conversion of an individual’s religion on the basis of misrepresentation, fraud, or coercion. The court further said that the 2021 law checks in with the view of Article 25 of the Indian constitution which explicitly does not allow the conversion of one person from one religion to another. As a result of the evidence of a conversion program going on, the Court dismissed the bail plea of the accused Shriniwas Rav Nayak.