'Forced religious conversion very serious matter,' says Supreme Court

A bench of Justices M R Shah and Hima Kohli asked Solicitor General Tushar Mehta to enumerate measures to curb the practice through allurement

The Supreme Court Monday asked the Centre to clarify its stand on steps taken to tackle the issue of forced religious conversion, saying it is a "very serious issue" and may affect the security of the nation and the freedom of citizens.

Taking up a PIL by advocate Ashwini Kumar Upadhyay, a bench of Justices M R Shah and Hima Kohli said, "There is freedom of religion, but no freedom on forced conversion."

"This is such a serious matter. Where is your stand by way of counter? Very serious and sincere efforts are to be made," the bench told Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the Centre.

Upadhyay sought urgent steps against religious conversion carried out by fraudulent means and by intimidation, threatening, and deceivingly luring through gifts and monetary benefits, as it offends Articles 14, 21, and 25 of the Constitution.

Also read | Supreme Court notice to Centre over fraudulent religious conversion

Mehta pointed out there are two laws one by Madhya Pradesh and another by Odisha on forcible religious conversion. He agreed to the contention that people are lured by giving rice and wheat, which is a ground for conversion. “It is rampant in tribal areas,” Mehta said, adding that he will file a reply by Monday.

"Make your stand very clear, what action you propose to take,” the bench said, while emphasising the Centre must step in to stop such forceful conversion before the situation becomes difficult.

"The issue with alleged conversion of religion, if it found to be true then it affects the security of the nation as well as the freedom of citizens. Therefore, it is better that Union of India make its stand clear and file a counter on what steps can be taken to curb forced conversions by force, allurement or fraudulent means," the bench said.

The bench fixed the matter for further hearing on November 28.

The court asked the Centre to file its response before November 22.

On September 23, the court issued a notice to the Centre on the PIL, which, among others, claimed that if such conversions were not checked, Hindus would soon become a minority in India.