‘Bible Distribution Not Considered ‘Inducement for Religious Conversion’ Under UP Anti-Conversion Law’: HC

The Allahabad High Court held that the distribution of the Holy Bible and the dissemination of positive teachings should not be considered as “inducement for religious conversion” under the Uttar Pradesh Prohibition of Unlawful Conversion of Religion Act.

A single bench of Justice Shamim Ahmad also emphasized that individuals who are not directly involved cannot file First Information Reports (FIRs) under the said act. As a result, bail has been granted to two individuals who were accused of enticing members of the Scheduled Caste (SC) and Scheduled Tribe (ST) communities to convert to Christianity.

The bench passed the direction in response to an appeal challenging the denial of bail to Jose Papachen and Sheeja. These individuals had been incarcerated following the registration of an FIR on January 24, based on a complaint filed by a BJP functionary in Ambedkar Nagar district. The BJP leader alleged that the two accused were persuading individuals from the Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe communities to convert to Christianity.

The judge remarked, “Providing instruction, distributing the Holy Bible, promoting education for children, organizing village gatherings, conducting community meals, advising villagers to avoid disputes, and discouraging alcohol consumption do not constitute inducement under the 2021 act.” The bench further clarified that, according to the act, only the aggrieved person or their family members have the authority to file FIRs in such cases.

The appellants contended that they were innocent and had been falsely implicated due to political rivalries.