The Allahabad High Court on 1 July 2024 issued a stern warning that the majority population of India could become a minority if religious gatherings facilitating conversions are not curtailed. The observation was made by Justice Rohit Ranjan Agarwal while dismissing the bail plea of an accused under the Uttar Pradesh Prohibition of Unlawful Conversion of Religion Act, 2021.
Justice Agarwal was hearing the bail plea of Kailash, who was accused of taking people from his village to attend religious gatherings in New Delhi where they were allegedly converted to Christianity. The court noted that if such practices continue, the demographic balance of the country could be significantly altered.
“If this process is allowed to be carried out, the majority population of this country would be in minority one day,” Justice Agarwal stated. “Such religious congregations where conversions are taking place should be immediately stopped.”
The court highlighted that Article 25 of the Constitution of India guarantees “freedom of conscience and free profession, practice, and propagation of religion” but does not sanction conversion from one religion to another. “The word ‘Propagation’ means to promote, but it does not mean to convert any person from his religion to another religion,” Justice Agarwal explained.
The court further observed that the unlawful conversion of people from Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST), and economically poor sections to Christianity was rampant throughout Uttar Pradesh. “Unlawful activity of conversion of people of SC/ST castes and other economically poor persons is being done at a rampant pace throughout Uttar Pradesh,” Justice Agarwal noted.
During the bail hearing, the court was informed that the complainant’s brother, along with several villagers, was taken to a “well-being” gathering in Delhi by the accused, Kailash. The complainant alleged that many of these individuals never returned home, implying that they were converted.
Advocate Saket Jaiswal, representing the accused, argued that the victim, Ramphal, had not converted to Christianity and that he merely attended the gathering. Jaiswal also pointed out that another individual, Sonu Paster, who conducted the religious gatherings, had already been granted bail.
Despite these arguments, the court found the allegations against Kailash serious and denied his bail plea. “This Court, prima facie, finds that the applicant is not entitled to bail. Hence, the bail application of the applicant involved in the aforesaid case crime is hereby rejected,” Justice Agarwal ruled.
Additional Advocate General PK Giri and Additional Government Advocate Sunil Kumar represented the state, supporting the need for stringent actions against such conversions to maintain social harmony.
(With inputs from Bar and Bench)
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