An Analysis of Anti-Conversion Laws in India

Abstract

Anti-Conversion law is one of the most debated topics in India. India has a long history of anti-conversion laws which can be dated back to pre-independence era were some of the princely states enacted anti conversion laws to restrict the missionary activity.Fear of change I demography is one of the prominent fears for all the majority community all over the world, India is not an exception the majority Hindu community has a fear losing their majority status. The conversion is seen as a major mean to increase population. Anti-conversion laws are seen as a remedial measure to the problem of conversion. The constitution of India gives person not only to practice and profess once belief but also to propagate it in this context this law seems to be inappropriate. But the anti- conversion laws are not bought to stop the conversion but to stop the conversion by force or coercion. Thus, present paper tries to look India's anti conversion laws with reference to right to freedom of practice profess and propagate once religion persecution. I. INTRODUCTION India has a long history of repeated invasions of foreign invaders; India's indigenous population has seen the conversion by way of force which has given rise to fear in the minds of majority Hindu community in India. India's new right-wing nationalists consider the issue of conversion as a major agenda. Some of them also see it as a foreign conspiracy to destabilize India2. Hence, anti-conversion laws are seen as the solution to the `problem' of conversion. India has a long history of Anti conversion laws. Perhaps anti- conversion laws can even be found during the British era where Hindu princely states enforced these anti-conversion laws 1 Author is a student at Guru Ghasidas Central University, Bilaspur, India. 2.Manmohan Rai, Bjp Mp Yogi Adityanath Accuses Mother Teresa Of Religious Conversion,Economic Times, (Dec. 2, 2020), https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/bjp-mp-yogi-adityanath-accuses -mother-teresa-of-religious-conversion/articleshow/52842431.cms 2021. International Journal of Integrated Law Review