29/04/2026
धर्म एव हतो हन्ति धर्मो रक्षति रक्षितः।
तस्माद्धर्मो न हन्तव्यो मा नो धर्मो हतोऽवधीत्॥
🕉 Transliteration: Dharma eva hato hanti dharmo rakṣati rakṣitaḥ।
Tasmād dharmo na hantavyo mā no dharmo hato’vadhīt॥
🕉 Meaning: Dharma, when destroyed, destroys; Dharma, when protected, protects.
Therefore, Dharma must never be harmed, lest destroyed Dharma destroys us.
🕉 Why India Needs Robust Anti-Conversion Legislation?
🕉 The discourse on anti-conversion laws in India must be examined within the larger constitutional framework, socio-cultural realities, and the delicate balance between individual liberty and public order. Proponents of such legislation present a range of arguments rooted in legal interpretation, governance priorities, and the need for societal stability.
1. Protection Against Coercion and Exploitation:
A central objective of anti-conversion laws is to protect individuals from conversions carried out through coercive or deceptive means.
Preventing Forced Conversions:
These laws aim to prohibit religious conversions driven by force, undue influence, threats, or psychological pressure, thereby preserving the principle of free will in matters of faith.
Addressing Fraud and Inducement:
They seek to curb conversions influenced by material incentives such as financial aid, employment offers, or other benefits that may compromise genuine consent.
Protecting Vulnerable Groups:
Special safeguards are often emphasized for minors, women, and members of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes, who may be more susceptible to socio-economic pressures in certain contexts.
2. Maintenance of Public Order and Social Stability:
Another key justification lies in preserving communal harmony and preventing social unrest.
Mitigating Communal Tensions:
Organized or large-scale conversion activities can, in certain situations, heighten social sensitivities and trigger communal friction.
Security Considerations: Judicial observations, including those of the Supreme Court, have acknowledged that coercive conversions, if widespread, may have implications for public order and the stability of the social fabric.
3. Regulation of Misrepresentation in Interfaith Marriages:
Some state-level provisions address concerns surrounding religious conversion in the context of marriage.
Preventing Deception:
These laws seek to invalidate marriages where conversion is alleged to have occurred through misrepresentation, concealment of identity, or fraudulent intent.
Ensuring Informed Consent:
Procedural requirements, such as prior declarations or notifications, are intended to ensure that any religious conversion linked to marriage is voluntary, transparent, and informed.
4. Constitutional and Legal Context:
The legal foundation for such legislation is derived from constitutional interpretation and judicial precedent.
Scope of Religious Freedom:
In Rev. Stanislaus v. State of Madhya Pradesh, the Supreme Court clarified that while Article 25 guarantees the right to profess and propagate religion, it does not include a fundamental right to convert another person.
Balancing Fundamental Rights: Supporters argue that restricting forced or fraudulent conversions strengthens individual freedom by protecting citizens from undue influence, rather than infringing upon religious liberty.
5. Current Legislative Landscape:
At present, anti-conversion laws exist primarily at the state level, with several states enacting “Freedom of Religion” statutes. This reflects a decentralized legislative approach in the absence of a uniform national framework.
