Supreme Court to Examine Validity of State Anti-Conversion Laws

Supreme Court to Examine Validity of State Anti-Conversion Laws

Today, tSupreme Court directed that a three-judge bench will hear and decide the challenge to laws enacted by several States to curb forced religious conversions.

A Bench comprising Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi was hearing a plea filed by the National Council of Churches in India. The Court noted that it is already seized of multiple petitions questioning the validity of anti-conversion laws passed by States such as Uttar Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and Uttarakhand.

Given the significance of the issue, the Court ordered that all the matters be placed before a three-judge bench. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta informed the Court that the Central government’s response is ready and will be filed shortly.

Senior Advocate Meenakshi Arora appeared on behalf of the petitioner. The Court issued notice in the matter and directed the respondents to file a common counter affidavit within four weeks.

Last year, the Supreme Court had transferred to itself similar petitions pending before various High Courts challenging State religious conversion laws. In 2021, it had also allowed Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind to intervene in one of the cases, after the organisation alleged that Muslims were being harassed across the country through the misuse of such laws

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