New Delhi, Sep 27 (UNI) The Supreme Court on Friday expunged Allahabad High Court’s remarks that the majority population of the country would become the minority one day if religious congregations where conversions take place are not stopped.
The Bench comprising Chief Justice of India D Y Chandrachud and Justice Manoj Mishra observed that the remarks made by the High Court were uncalled for and “such general remarks should not be used in any other cases.”
Justice Rohit Ranjan Agarwal of the High Court had on July 1 made these remarks while denying bail to an accused booked for unlawful conversion.
The accused was facing a case under the Uttar Pradesh Prohibition of Unlawful Conversion of Religion Act, 2021.
Justice Agarwal also gave detailed observations on religious conversions and their alleged impact on the majority population.
During the hearing on the bail application, the High Court was informed that a complainant’s brother had been taken from his village to attend a gathering of “well-being” in Delhi. Along with him, several persons from the village were also taken there to convert them to Christianity.
In this context, while denying bail to the accused, the High Court had observed that if such practice is allowed to continue, the majority population would become a minority one day.
The High Court judge also said that Article 25 of the Constitution of India provides for “freedom of conscience and free profession, practice, and propagation of religion” but does not provide for conversion from one faith to another.
“The word propagation means to promote, but it does not mean to convert any person from his religion to another religion,” it added.
These observations were expunged by the Supreme Court on Friday.
