30/07/2024
Now an act that is included as a fundamental right under Article 25 of the Indian Constitution is being sought to be punished by life imprisonment. First of all, it shouldn’t even be the Government’s business why someone is converting to some other religion; then to punish it like murder is medieval and regressive.
While the proposed law refers to things like assault, use of force, promise of marriage etc it is rife for misuse since anyone can file a complaint.
Also to be noted: women are lumped together with minors and mentally challenged persons. India has chosen to go the way of Pakistan. What else can one say?
Article 25 (emphasis added):
“Subject to public order, morality and health and to the other provisions of this Part, all persons are equally entitled to freedom of conscience and the right freely to profess, practise AND PROPAGATE religion”.
Saying that the existing provisions under the Uttar Pradesh Prohibition of Unlawful Conversion of Religion Act, 2021, are “not sufficient”, the government sought to make its anti-conversion law more stringent.