Indian Laws on Conversion with special reference to the Uttar Pradesh prohibition of unlawful conversion of religion ordinance 2020

Abstract

Conversion is a very integral part of one’s life as it involves the human as well as
Constitutional right of every human being around the world. It is highly debateable to
identify whether the act of conversion is voluntary or involuntary or in a case free
consent is not given by the converted person. A conversion in any religion without
having any faith or belief in that religion is highly restricted and should not be allowed.
After conversion one’s life becomes changed in every sphere of law like maintenance,
inheritance, succession, adoption, marriage and specifically the provisions related to the
marriage. After marriage, if any person converts it becomes a ground for the divorce to
the other spouse. Conversion to the religion of male side is not at all required to the
consenting adults for the marriage as they can solemnize their marriage under the
Special Marriage Act 1954 in which the interfaith marriages are solemnize without
changing the existing religion. So, conversion is not at all required for the marriage of
inter faith. This paper deals with the detailed study about the provisions enshrined
under the said ordinance and to study about the different laws those are framed to deals
with the inter faith conversion of a person nationally and internationally.