The issue of religious conversions has again become dominant in India's current socio-political discourse.With the BJP at the centre and Congress party being decimated,the focal point of attention has been the legitimacy of religious conversions,which many have referred to as 'Ghar wapsi' programme.But the moot question is-how far is the religious conversions legally sanctified?
Article 25(1)of the Indian constitution states that all people-not only Indian citizens-are entitled to freedom of conscience and have the right to profess,practic
e and propagate one's own religion.It is significant to note that freedom to propagate one's religion is in stark contrast to the forcible conversion of a person to another religion.As Justice A.N.Ray interpreted the word "propagate" to mean "to transmit or spread one's religion by an exposition of its tenets".The Supreme court has also declared illegal the forcible conversions holding it to be against the spirit of Indian constitution.Forcible conversions thus violate the fundamental right of freedom of conscience of an individual and thus cannot be justified in any manner.
Gandhi considered every religion to be true in its own way.According to him,all religions deliver the same essential spiritual message.In an article in Young India in 1931,he stated-"India stands in no need of conversions from one faith to another."Gandhi was for atmaparivartan.a change of heart,but not for dharmantar,or a change in religion.When B.R.Ambedkar embraced Buddhism in 1956,Gandhi stated"Religion is not like a house or cloak which can be changed at will".
The current pattern of religious conversions in India has highlighted a peculiar message which might have seemingly escaped the attention of policy makers.That said,people were ready to embrace another religion primarily for availing economic benefits-like BPL card,ration benefits and decent employment.They were least concerned about the righteousness or propreity of any of the religions.Thus,policy makers should rather focus on improving the socio-economic condition of the masses rather than tacitly patronising the forcible conversions.Also,the current laws are sufficient to control forcible conversions carried out with the aim to ignite communal passions.Any new legislation to ban religious conversions of any kind would further complicate the issue.
Article 25(1)of the Indian constitution states that all people-not only Indian citizens-are entitled to freedom of conscience and have the right to profess,practice and propagate one's own religion.It is significant to note that freedom to propagate one's religion is in stark contrast to the forcible conversion of a person to another religion.As Justice A.N.Ray interpreted the word "propagate" to mean "to transmit or spread one's religion by an exposition of its tenets".The Supreme court has also declared illegal the forcible conversions holding it to be against the spirit of Indian constitution.Forcible conversions thus violate the fundamental right of freedom of conscience of an individual and thus cannot be justified in any manner.
Gandhi considered every religion to be true in its own way.According to him,all religions deliver the same essential spiritual message.In an article in Young India in 1931,he stated-"India stands in no need of conversions from one faith to another."Gandhi was for atmaparivartan.a change of heart,but not for dharmantar,or a change in religion.When B.R.Ambedkar embraced Buddhism in 1956,Gandhi stated"Religion is not like a house or cloak which can be changed at will".
The current pattern of religious conversions in India has highlighted a peculiar message which might have seemingly escaped the attention of policy makers.That said,people were ready to embrace another religion primarily for availing economic benefits-like BPL card,ration benefits and decent employment.They were least concerned about the righteousness or propreity of any of the religions.Thus,policy makers should rather focus on improving the socio-economic condition of the masses rather than tacitly patronising the forcible conversions.Also,the current laws are sufficient to control forcible conversions carried out with the aim to ignite communal passions.Any new legislation to ban religious conversions of any kind would further complicate the issue.
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