New Delhi: The anti-conversion law of eight states has been challenged in the Supreme Court. The National Federation of Indian Women has challenged these laws in the Supreme Court saying that it is a violation of the right to privacy and human dignity. In the petition filed in the Supreme Court, the law of the governments of UP, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Karnataka, Uttarakhand and Jharkhand has been challenged. The petition states that the word inducement has been broadened in the law. Under this, the purpose of marriage has also been brought inside. It is objectionable to show women as a weaker section in the law. Due to this, the rights of autonomy of women are affected. It has been said in the petition that the law limits the right under Article-25 of the Constitution. At the same time, the petitioner has said that because of these laws, couples who have inter-faith marriages are being harassed.
Asked to file a petition in the Allahabad High Court
Significantly, on February 3, 2021, the Supreme Court refused to hear the petition challenging the UP government’s law related to the ban on wrongful religious conversion for marriage. After seeing the stand of the Supreme Court, the petitioner had sought permission to withdraw the application. While allowing this, the Supreme Court had given liberty to the petitioner that he can file an application in the Allahabad High Court.
UP, Uttarakhand have made law
The UP government has issued the Prohibition of Unlawful Conversion of Religious Ordinance 2020 and the Uttarakhand government has issued the Freedom of Religious Act 2020 ordinance. During the hearing on the petition filed against the law of UP and Uttarakhand, the Supreme Court issued a notice to the UP and Uttarakhand government and asked them to file a reply and that matter is pending. Meanwhile, on January 25, the Supreme Court had refused to give relief on the petition of the UP government to transfer from the Allahabad High Court to the Supreme Court the petition challenging the UP government’s law prohibiting wrongful religious conversion for marriage. Had refused to transfer the case on the application of the UP government and had said that if the High Court wants to settle the matter after hearing it, then why should we interfere. The decision of the High Court should be allowed to come out, after that we will listen.
At the same time, the Supreme Court refused to hear the petition in which the petitioner challenged the law made by the Madhya Pradesh government against wrongful conversion for marriage. The Supreme Court had asked the petitioner to approach the High Court in this matter. Another petition related to this matter is already pending in the Supreme Court. The Supreme Court had then said that first the decision of the High Court should come and it wanted to see the opinion of the High Court on this matter.
