Prayagraj: Uttar Pradesh government has strongly defended it anti-conversion law in his affidavit before Allahabad High Court, stating that “Since marriage is being used as an instrument to convert the religion of a person against his will, the Uttar Pradesh Prohibition of Unlawful Conversion of Religion Act, 2021 seeks to remove the ugliness does”.
Following a direction from the High Court, the Uttar Pradesh government’s affidavit was filed in response to a flurry of public interest litigation (PIL) challenge the said Act.
Importantly, emphasizing that community interest will always prevail over individual interest, the UP government has stated that the law in challenge seeks to protect the public interest and maintain public order, and to protect the interests of the community. Is.
“When there is widespread fear psychosis in the community and the community itself becomes endangered and succumbs to pressure resulting in forced conversions, it becomes necessary that the interests of the community as a whole need to be protected. and micro analysis of personal interest cannot be seen in,” the affidavit further added before the court.
The affidavit said that the law is similar in nature to the laws that already exist in at least eight states of the country. Apart from Uttar Pradesh, such laws are also prevalent in neighboring countries like Nepal, myanmar, Bhutan, Sri Lanka And also Pakistan.
Further, the affidavit states that there is sufficient data in public records to show that forced conversions have indeed created a panic across the state, which is why such legislation is needed.
Referring to the cases of a Hindu woman or a Muslim man or man desirous of marrying a woman, the affidavit states: “Though the Hindu woman does not wish to give up her faith, but to enter her faith Have to leave. Have a valid marriage and accept Islam as your faith. This will amount to forced conversion. If a Hindu boy wants to marry a Muslim girl then the situation remains the same. Hindu boy has to accept Islam.
Terming the practice as a loss of dignity, the affidavit claimed that in such cases, conversion is not done as an option but because of compulsion due to interference of personal law.
Against this background, the affidavit states that the Act only empowers relatives to file FIRs in cases of forced conversions and that the Act ensures that every individual is provided with equal moral membership in the society.
Lastly, the government in its reply also emphasized that the petitioners are motivated by the social media hype of ‘ghar wapsi’ and have not focused on legal issues. Therefore, they are misusing the process of law by filing urgent PILs and using it as a tool for publicity.
Following a direction from the High Court, the Uttar Pradesh government’s affidavit was filed in response to a flurry of public interest litigation (PIL) challenge the said Act.
Importantly, emphasizing that community interest will always prevail over individual interest, the UP government has stated that the law in challenge seeks to protect the public interest and maintain public order, and to protect the interests of the community. Is.
“When there is widespread fear psychosis in the community and the community itself becomes endangered and succumbs to pressure resulting in forced conversions, it becomes necessary that the interests of the community as a whole need to be protected. and micro analysis of personal interest cannot be seen in,” the affidavit further added before the court.
The affidavit said that the law is similar in nature to the laws that already exist in at least eight states of the country. Apart from Uttar Pradesh, such laws are also prevalent in neighboring countries like Nepal, myanmar, Bhutan, Sri Lanka And also Pakistan.
Further, the affidavit states that there is sufficient data in public records to show that forced conversions have indeed created a panic across the state, which is why such legislation is needed.
Referring to the cases of a Hindu woman or a Muslim man or man desirous of marrying a woman, the affidavit states: “Though the Hindu woman does not wish to give up her faith, but to enter her faith Have to leave. Have a valid marriage and accept Islam as your faith. This will amount to forced conversion. If a Hindu boy wants to marry a Muslim girl then the situation remains the same. Hindu boy has to accept Islam.
Terming the practice as a loss of dignity, the affidavit claimed that in such cases, conversion is not done as an option but because of compulsion due to interference of personal law.
Against this background, the affidavit states that the Act only empowers relatives to file FIRs in cases of forced conversions and that the Act ensures that every individual is provided with equal moral membership in the society.
Lastly, the government in its reply also emphasized that the petitioners are motivated by the social media hype of ‘ghar wapsi’ and have not focused on legal issues. Therefore, they are misusing the process of law by filing urgent PILs and using it as a tool for publicity.
.