Conversions

The BJP and RSS leaders are demanding a law to ban forcible religious conversions. There is no need for such a law as Article 25 of the Indian Constitution provides for “freedom of conscience and free profession, practice and propagation of religions”. If there is any forcible conversion it is already covered under Indian Penal Code (Section 153(a)) as it classifies forcible attempts in the name of religion as a criminal offence.

The Polit Bureau of the CPI(M) strongly condemns the religious conversion of around 300 Muslims, mostly poor migrants from Bihar and West Bengal in Agra through false enticement, force and intimidation by the RSS/BJP. The RSS/BJP leaders have declared their intent to organise similar conversions of Muslims and Christians in Ghazipur, Aligarh and other places in Uttar Pradesh.....Such forced conversions are criminal offences and all those indulging in or encouraging such religious conversions should be prosecuted. The Polit Bureau urges upon both the state government in Uttar Pradesh and the central government to take firm steps to stop such conversions.