Supreme Court Reviews Contentious Anti-Conversion Laws Amid Rising Debates

The Supreme Court of India is currently deliberating on the constitutional validity of anti-conversion laws enacted in states including Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, and several others. A bench led by Chief Justice B R Gavai has sought responses from the states in question after concerns were raised about these laws potentially infringing on individual rights.

Senior advocate C U Singh, representing a petitioner, emphasized the dangers these laws pose to interfaith marriages and religious freedoms. Singh argued that recent amendments in states like Uttar Pradesh allow third-party complaints, which could lead to harassment and misuse of the law.

With the court giving states four weeks to reply and facilitating amendments to the petitions, the debate underscores the tension between state laws and constitutional liberties. Advocates like Indira Jaising and Vrinda Grover continue to push for interim relief and a stay on these contentious legislations.

(With inputs from agencies.)