The Supreme Court on Wednesday issued notice to the Uttar Pradesh government, seeking its response to a petition challenging parts of the 2024 amendments to the state’s law on unlawful religious conversions.
A bench of Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta asked the state to respond and tagged the matter with other similar petitions already pending before the Court.
Challenge To 2024 Amendments
The plea was filed by Roop Rekha Verma, a noted academician from Lucknow, along with other petitioners. They have contested certain provisions of the Uttar Pradesh Prohibition of Unlawful Conversion of Religion Act, arguing that the changes introduced in 2024 are vague, excessive, and unconstitutional.
The petition contends that the impugned provisions lack clear definitions and create a chilling effect on constitutionally protected freedoms — particularly the freedom of expression and the right to propagate religion, both guaranteed under Article 19 & Article 25 of the Constitution.
Key Concerns
The petitioners assert that the law, in its amended form, allows broad interpretations that could lead to arbitrary enforcement and infringement on civil liberties. They argue that the ambiguity in the language of certain sections could deter individuals from freely expressing their religious beliefs or engaging in voluntary religious conversions — acts protected by the Constitution.
The plea also raises questions about the law’s impact on interfaith marriages, suggesting that the amendments further complicate legal procedures for consenting adults seeking to marry across religious lines.
Court Tags Plea With Similar Challenges
Acknowledging the nature of the concerns, the Supreme Court decided to hear the matter alongside other petitions challenging various anti-conversion laws enacted by different states, including Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, and Uttarakhand.
This move signals the Court’s intention to take a comprehensive view of state-level legislation concerning religious conversion and its potential conflict with constitutional rights.
Background
The original Uttar Pradesh Prohibition of Unlawful Conversion of Religion Act, 2021, aimed to prevent conversions through force, fraud, allurement, or marriage, and has faced widespread criticism from civil rights groups. The 2024 amendments introduced new provisions and tightened certain procedures, sparking fresh legal and public debates.
The Supreme Court will hear the case alongside related petitions in due course. Meanwhile, the Uttar Pradesh government has been directed to submit its response to the issues raised in Verma’s plea.
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