BJP leader's PIL in SC seeks directions to Centre, states to stop forced conversions, black magic

New Delhi: BJP leader Ashwini Kumar Upadhyayay has filed a Public Interest Litigation plea in the Supreme Court seeking directions to the Centre to and states to control religious conversion through gifts and monetary benefits, black magic and superstition.

The plea filed by Upadhyayay, who is also a lawyer also sought directions to explore the feasibility of appointing a Committee to enact a Conversion of Religion Act to check the abuse of religion.

The petitioner argued that religious conversion by 'carrot and stick' and by 'hook or crook' not only offends Articles 14, 21, 25, but is also against the principles of secularism, which is an integral part of the basic structure of the Constitution.

The petitioner in the plea filed through advocate Ashwani Kumar Dubey, states with dismay that the Centre and States have failed to control the menace of black magic, superstition and deceitful religious conversion, though it is their duty under Article 51A.

Alleging that the government has failed to take any concrete action against the menaces of the society, the plea said the Centre may enact a law with minimum imprisonment of 3 years that may extend up to 10 years and a hefty fine may be imposed.

Additionally, the Centre may empower the National Human Rights Commission to deal with the affairs of religious groups and keep a check by carrying out an in-depth analysis of religious discrimination among them, it said.

The PIL has also sought directions to the Law Commission of India to prepare a Report on Black Magic, Superstition and Religious Conversion within three months.

The BJP leader also puts forth an argument that the issue of population explosion and the religious conversion by the carrot and the stick is a national problem, hence Centre must enact a strong and effective population control law and anti conversion law on top priority.

According to the petitioner, Hindus have become minority in nine States and UTs due to population and deceitful religious conversion and the situation is worsening day by day.

(Based on PTI feed)