Freedom of Religion and Anti-Conversion Laws in India: An Overview

Indian constitution stands on the bedrock of secularism though nowhere in the original constitution the word secularism‘ was mentioned. Indian political circuit, in recent times has seen the dirtiest forms of politico-religious quagmires. With five states of the Indian Union making laws regulating religious conversions in a span of seven years, adding to existing three state laws, and palpable apprehension in the atmosphere could well be sensed. It is to be noted here that anti conversion laws are not a new phenomenon and though they have become more politicised and negatively publicized after the series of new state legislations they were very much in existence even prior to Independence.