UP Conversion Law Protects Religious Freedom, Ensures Secularism: Allahabad HC

GG News Bureau
Prayagraj, 14th August. The Allahabad High Court has said that the Uttar Pradesh Prohibition of Unlawful Conversion of Religion Act, 2021, is to ensure religious freedom for all and uphold secularism in India.

In a ruling on Friday, Justice Rohit Ranjan Agarwal denied bail to Ajeem, who is accused of forcing a woman to convert to Islam and sexually exploiting her.

Justice Agarwal noted that while the Indian Constitution guarantees the right to practice and propagate religion, this does not imply a collective right to forcibly convert others. The court highlighted that religious freedom is equally applicable to both the person converting and the individual being converted.

Ajeem was charged under various sections of the Indian Penal Code and the UP Prohibition of Unlawful Conversion of Religion Act, 2021, following accusations from a woman in Badaun district. The woman alleged that Ajeem had forced her to convert to Islam and had subjected her to sexual exploitation.

The defense argued that the woman was in a consensual relationship with Ajeem and had willingly left her home. However, the court found that the complainant had been coerced into converting, forced to witness religious rituals, and held captive by Ajeem and his family. The court also noted the absence of a required declaration under Section 8 of the 2021 Act before the alleged forced conversion and marriage.

In its August 9 order, the court rejected Ajeem’s bail application, citing a prima facie violation of Sections 3 and 8 of the Act, which prohibit forced conversion through misrepresentation, coercion, or undue influence.