Supreme Court Intervenes: Christian Organization Challenges Anti-Conversion Legislation Across 12 States

The Supreme Court of India has initiated formal proceedings in response to a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by a prominent Christian organization contesting the constitutional validity of anti-conversion laws. The apex court has issued notices to the Central Government and twelve state administrations, compelling them to submit their legal justifications for these statutes. This judicial action signals a critical examination of legislative measures that regulate religious conversion, a subject of intense national debate. The PIL argues that such laws infringe upon fundamental rights enshrined in the Constitution, particularly those pertaining to religious freedom and privacy. The states implicated in this litigation have enacted varied versions of anti-conversion legislation, often termed 'Freedom of Religion Acts,' which mandate governmental approval for religious conversion and prescribe penalties for alleged forced conversions. Legal analysts anticipate that this case will probe the delicate balance between the state's interest in preventing coercive practices and an individual's right to profess and propagate religion. The Supreme Court's intervention elevates this matter to a constitutional discourse, with potential ramifications for federal-state relations and the interpretation of secular principles within India's legal framework. The forthcoming responses from the Centre and state governments will be pivotal in shaping the judicial trajectory of this landmark case.