Religious conversion can only happen through a change of heart and faith : Allahabad HC

Conversion by deceit and coercion is illegal and a serious crime

Prayagraj (Uttar Pradesh) – Conversion can only happen through a change of heart and faith. Conversion done under deceit and coercion is illegal and a serious crime, the Allahabad High Court observed in a judgment. The Court also clarified that in such cases, the case cannot be dismissed on the basis of an agreement between the two parties. The Court refused to grant any relief to the accused in a case of conversion through deceit and rape using false promise of marriage.

The High Court said that only when an adult person believes in the Prophet Mohammad with an honest conviction and own free will, can his conversion to Islam be considered genuine. His mind must have truly changed after being influenced by the principles of Islam. A woman’s body is her temple and sanctity is its foundation. It cannot be harmed at all. Incidents of rape stop the precious breath of life.

What is the matter ?

In Rampur, Uttar Pradesh, Taufiq’s brother-in-law, Mohammad Ayan, created a Facebook account using a Hindu name ‘Rahul’. Through this, he lured a woman into romantic relationship and had physical relations with her. Later, she came to know that Rahul was not a Hindu but a Muslim. After that, a case was registered against Ayan, along with his brothers-in-law Taufiq and Riyaz, for rape and forced conversion; however, later a settlement was reached between the accused and the victim. She said that she had converted of her own free will and had registered the case under someone’s influence. She is living with the accused. The woman also requested that the case be quashed.

The Court said that the discussion of compromise in such cases is beyond imagination. In this case, the conversion was not done for faith, but to form the basis of marriage or to avoid it. It cannot at all be considered in good faith.

Editorial Perspective

No one can deny the fact that Islam has spread around the world through sword (coercion), while Christianity has spread in the North-East India through luring. It is a shame for Hindus that both these ways are still used in India for conversion.