The Supreme Court of India has decided to take up a series of petitions challenging anti-conversion laws in several states. On Tuesday, a bench led by Chief Justice BR Gavai and Justice K Vinod Chandran asked state governments to respond to these pleas within four weeks. The court will hear the case again after six weeks.
During the hearing, lawyers for the petitioners pointed out how states like Uttar Pradesh have toughened their anti-conversion laws over time. They argued that breaking these laws in UP can lead to a minimum 20-year jail term. The petitioners also highlighted that these laws put the burden of proof on the accused and make getting bail almost impossible, especially in interfaith marriage cases. They compared it to strict rules in laws like the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), where bail is hard to get unless the court believes the accused is innocent and unlikely to commit more offenses.
The bench agreed that this sensitive issue needs careful consideration and time. To keep things organized, the court appointed Advocate Srishti Agnihotri to assist the petitioners and Advocate Ruchira Goyal to help the states.
These petitions target anti-conversion laws in states including Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Karnataka, Jharkhand, Uttarakhand, and Himachal Pradesh. Many see these laws as aimed at preventing forced religious conversions, but critics argue they infringe on personal freedoms and target interfaith relationships. Stay tuned for updates as the Supreme Court dives deeper into this important debate on religious freedom and state laws in India.
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