Freedom of Religion and Anti-Conversion Laws: The Chhattisgarh Case
UPSC Relevance
Prelims: Indian Polity and Governance (Fundamental Rights - Article 25, Secularism, Scheduled Tribes), Social Issues (Communalism, Tribal Identity).
Mains:
GS Paper 1: Salient features of Indian Society, Diversity of India; Communalism, regionalism & secularism.
GS Paper 2: Government policies and interventions; Welfare schemes for vulnerable sections; Mechanisms, laws, institutions and Bodies constituted for the protection and betterment of these vulnerable sections.
Key Highlights from the News
In Chhattisgarh, the arrest of two Catholic nuns on charges of human trafficking and forced conversion sparked a major controversy.
The arrest followed a complaint by a Bajrang Dal activist. The case has been registered under the Chhattisgarh Freedom of Religion Act.
However, the girls' relatives clarified that they were taken for work with their consent and no forced conversion had occurred.
This incident led to discussions about the activities of communal vigilantism groups and the misuse of anti-conversion laws.
The article states that although the Constitution grants citizens the right to practice and propagate their religion, anti-conversion laws in many states violate this right.
In tribal areas like Chhattisgarh and Jharkhand, there is also a debate about delisting tribals who convert to Christianity from the Scheduled Tribes.
Meanwhile, some tribal organizations are advocating for a special 'Sarna religious code' for their indigenous faith.
The article argues that instead of divisive issues, focus should be on economic development, employment, and that government mechanisms should work to protect the rights guaranteed by the Constitution.
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