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Religious Conversion in India: Issues & Criticisms | UPSC Editorials

Last Updated on Nov 28, 2024
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India's rich tapestry of diversity is supported by the constitutional guarantee of religious freedom. However, the sensitive issue of religious conversion, especially in the context of reservations and social benefits, has created a significant legal and ethical discourse. This rhetoric has been sounded louder by a recent judgment delivered by the Supreme Court, which branded the process of conversion that is merely motivated by seeking reservation benefits while having no actual belief to be a "fraud on the Constitution." This detailed article provides insight into all aspects of the religious conversion process in India, ranging from constitutional guarantees to judicial decisions, anti-conversion legislations, and landmark judgments.

Analysis based on 

Editorial Conversion only for reservation, without ‘actual belief’, a fraud on Constitution: Supreme Court published in The Indian Express on November 27th, 2024

Topics for UPSC Prelims

Indian Constitution, Fundamental Rights, Freedom of religion, Anti-discrimination clauses, Marginalized communities

Topics for UPSC Mains

Functioning of the Executive and the Judiciary, Functions and responsibilities of the Union and the States, Indian Constitution, Separation of powers between various organs, Social issues related to religion and caste dynamics

About the Current Case on Religious Conversion

The case before the Supreme Court involved C. Selvarani, who claimed to have converted from Christianity to Hinduism to avail Scheduled Caste reservation benefits. The Supreme Court upheld an earlier ruling by the Madras High Court that denied her SC status on the grounds that her conversion was not based on a true belief. She continued practicing Christianity as shown by the evidence. This case throws light on the problematic issues concerning religious identity and social entitlements in India.

Supreme Court Ruling

A bench of Justices Pankaj Mithal and R. Mahadevan delivered a crucial verdict, ruling that the appellant's dual claim-professing Christianity while claiming Hindu SC benefits-was untenable. The court emphasized that the intent behind the conversion was crucial. The fact that Selvarani did not believe in Hinduism and went to church regularly made her claim fraudulent. Thus, this judgment emphasizes the importance of true belief in the process of conversion, which also reflects the court's stance on the integrity of the reservation system.

The Supreme Court’s assertion that conversions for the sole purpose of availing reservation benefits without genuine belief amount to a "fraud on the Constitution" is a crucial stance. The Court emphasized that reservation policies aim to uplift genuinely marginalized communities, and exploiting these provisions through insincere conversions undermines their intent and integrity.

In the case of Selvarani, evidence was presented that her activities were Christian, although claiming to be Hindu for benefitting from SC. That is, the ruling was that the genuineness of religious belief is required while converting and, consequently, becoming eligible for social benefits.

Read the article on the Role of Caste in Indian Politics!

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What is Religious Conversion?

Religious conversion in India refers to the change of religious affiliation, which is often accompanied by a change in belief, practice, and sometimes community identity. The Indian Constitution guarantees the right to freely profess, practice, and propagate religion; however, conversions become controversial when they are linked to socio-economic benefits, such as caste-based reservations. Issues related to authenticity often come under judicial review to ensure that conversions do not proceed on grounds of opportunistic motives but out of faith. Conversions that are a result of coercion, inducement, or fraud are highly contentious and are met at both constitutional and state-specific anti-conversion laws so that individual choice is maintained without disrupting social harmony.

Read the article on Religion and Society!

Constitutional Provisions of Religious Conversion in India

India's constitution strongly safeguards religious freedom through a series of articles:

  • Article 25: The freedom of conscience and the right to freely profess, practice, and propagate religion shall be subject to public order, morality, health, and other fundamental rights.
  • Article 15: Discrimination on grounds of religion, race, caste, sex, or place of birth is prohibited.
  • Article 16: It gives an equal opportunity in public employment and forbids discrimination based on grounds including religion.
  • Article 29: Minority cultural and educational rights are protected.
  • Article 30: Grants the minorities the right to establish and administer educational institutions.

All of these provisions collectively promote religious liberty while creating a structure to prevent abuse.

Read the article on the Theories of Origin of Caste System!

How is Forced Conversion in Religion Defined in India?

Forced conversion is defined as converting someone to another religion through coercion, fraud, undue influence, or inducement, eliminating the element of free will. The legal system and judicial benchmarks in India ensure that conversion remains a matter of personal choice, guided by genuine belief and volition. Forced conversions are violations of fundamental rights and disrupt public order and societal harmony, thus requiring strict legal scrutiny and safeguards.

Difference Between Forced Conversion and Religious Conversion

The core difference between forced and voluntary conversion lies in consent and intent:

  • Forced Conversion: It involves coercion, fraud, or undue influence, resulting in a conversion without the individual's free and willing consent. Such conversions are legally null and void.
  • Voluntary Conversion: It is based on sound conviction, free will, and personal choice. The law respects and recognizes it as an expression of the freedom of the individual.

They underpin the authenticity of the process through its true religious conviction rather than the influence of external elements on conversions.

Read the article on Religious Minorities!

Landmark Judgements on Religious Conversion

The following are some of the important judicial pronouncements related to religious conversion in India: 

Rev. Stanislaus vs. State of Madhya Pradesh (1977)

It is considered a landmark case in which the Supreme Court of India declared the Madhya Pradesh and Odisha anti-conversion laws constitutionally valid. The court held that rights to propagate religion do not consist of the right to convert another person against his/her will, thereby upholding the role of the state to regulate forcible conversions.

Lily Thomas vs. Union of India (2000)

The court dealt with conversions to remarry by conversion to other religions. It held such conversions to be invalid as they are deemed to have no belief involved in the conversion process. This judgment ensured that marriages and all legal liabilities were maintained within religious circles.

Sarla Mudgal v. Union of India 1995

The abuse of the right to convert as an instrument to avoid Hindu personal law with an ulterior motive of satisfying polygamous lust led to a ruling from the Supreme Court that these conversions for reasons which were selfish and lacked proper conviction in religious faith offended legal and moral sentiments.

Read the article on the Role of Religion in Indian Politics!

Role of the Judiciary in Balancing Right to Freedom of Religion with Preventing Fraudulent Practices

The judiciary plays a crucial role in balancing the constitutional right to freedom of religion with the need to prevent fraudulent conversions. Through judicial review, the courts ensure that:

  • conversions are voluntary, based on genuine belief and free will,
  • not coerced or induced, while protecting religious freedoms, and
  • maintaining public order and morality in consonance with constitutional principles.

Judicial intercessions aim at upholding individual rights and freedom and addressing social justice concerns but, in doing so, ensure the right to freedom of religion is not being exploited.

Read the article on Caste Discrimination!

Anti-Conversion Laws in India

Most states in India have enacted anti-conversion laws to prevent forced conversion and guarantee authenticity in religious switching. These laws usually incorporate the following:

  • Prior permission by the district authorities before effecting conversion.
  • Penalty on conversions through fraud, inducement, or force.

Compulsory reporting of conversions by the person converting and the authority performing the conversion. The following states have such provisions: Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh, and Uttar Pradesh. Such provisions are made to avoid coercive practices while keeping religious freedoms intact.

Read the article on the Features of Caste System!

Conclusion

Religious conversion in India is a complicated and multi-dimensional issue concerning constitutional rights, social justice, and individual freedoms. The judgments delivered by the Supreme Court in recent times reiterate that the tenet of belief is sine qua non to religious conversion, more particularly when that overlaps with the reservation policies. Judicial interference in achieving this balance becomes the heart of sustaining India's secular character.

Anti-conversion laws, by protecting liberty, also serve as a necessary check on coercive and insincere conversions. The legal and constitutional structure is designed to protect actual religious freedoms while preventing exploitation of social benefits. As India continues to navigate these complexities, it is adherence to judicial prudence and constitutional ethics that will uphold the country's commitment to secularism and social justice.

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UPSC Practice Questions

Discuss the constitutional provisions related to religious conversion in India. Critically analyze the role of the judiciary in interpreting these provisions in the context of balancing the right to freedom of religion and preventing fraudulent practices.

Examine the implications of the Supreme Court’s recent ruling on religious conversion for reservation benefits on India’s social structure and reservation policy. How do anti-conversion laws complement or conflict with constitutional guarantees of religious freedom?

Analyze the ethical and legal challenges posed by forced religious conversions in India. Suggest measures that can be adopted to ensure genuine religious freedom while protecting vulnerable populations from coercion and exploitation.

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