The Constitution gives every Indian citizen the fundamental right to follow any religion, which automatically includes the freedom to convert from one religion to another. Therefore, any anti-conversion law will be against this basic spirit of the Constitution.
The real issue we face is not conversion. Let any number of people be converted from one faith to another if they feel it benefits them socially or economically. The question is, what will be the status of these converted people in their new religion? Will it be ensured that they get the same social status as others who are of a higher caste or class in it? Will they be allowed to enter places of worship? If the answer to all these questions is a ‘yes’, then please convert as many poor and marginalised people as possible to your faith. But do not play politics in the name of conversion.
K.V. Ravindran,
Payyanur, Kerala
The call for a national law (Dec.12) to curb conversions is very regressive and in violation of Article 25 of the Constitution which deals with the “freedom of conscience and free profession, practice and propagation of religion”. The secular nature of the state must be protected along with the freedom of religion. There can be a law that curbs “forced conversions” but not those that are voluntary. The legal aspect of such a move should be reviewed.
Tabish Naqvi,
Patiala
Often, dubious or fraudulent methods have been often resorted to in cases of mass conversions. Large-scale conversions have also caused social unrest and demographic disturbances.
Decades ago, the Justice Neogi Committee that was constituted by the Congress government in Madhya Pradesh had recommended a uniform law for the country among other measures to tackle conversion-related problems.
A. Gajanana,
Bengaluru
One’s faith should be a personal issue. However, over the centuries, conversions have taken place either through the use of force or using inducements enabled by the credulity of those involved. The Constitution itself provides for conferment of benefits on the basis of caste and religion. Though these clauses are called protective clauses, in reality they have helped only in accentuating caste and communal differences. We should do away with them all and treat every person, irrespective of caste, creed, community or religion, as equals.
K.R. Jayaprakash Rao,
Mysuru
