Majority Would Become Minority…; Allahabad High Court Denies Bail to Man Accused in Conversion Case
Majority Would Become Minority...; Allahabad High Court Denies Bail to Man Accused in Conversion Case
Court highlights potential demographic changes if religious conversions continue.
July 2, 2024
The Allahabad High Court has expressed concerns over religious conversions, warning that the majority population could become a minority if such activities continue. This statement was made while denying bail to Kailash. He is accused of taking people from Hamirpur, Uttar Pradesh, to conversion gatherings in Delhi.
The court made these observations while hearing the case of unlawful conversion of religion in Hamirpur’s district of Uttar Pradesh.
While hearing a case regarding unlawful conversion of religion, Allahabad High Court yesterday observed,"…If this process is allowed to be carried out, the majority population of this country would be in minority one day, and such religious congregation should be immediately…
— ANI UP/Uttarakhand (@ANINewsUP) July 2, 2024
The court heard the bail petition of Kailash, who allegedly took Ramphal, a mentally ill man from Hamirpur, to a gathering in Delhi promising treatment. Ramphal never returned, and an FIR stated that many villagers were converted to Christianity at these gatherings. Kailash faces charges of kidnapping and violating the UP Prohibition of Unlawful Conversion of Religion Act, 2021.
Additional Advocate General PK Giri, representing the Uttar Pradesh government, told the court that large numbers of people were being converted to Christianity at these gatherings. Witnesses claimed Kailash was paid to bring people for conversion.
Kailash’s counsel, Saket Jaiswal, argued that Ramphal had only attended a Christian gathering and was not converted. Jaiswal mentioned that Sonu Pastor, who organized the gathering, had already been granted bail.
Justice Rohit Ranjan Agarwal emphasized that while Article 25 of the Constitution allows for freedom of conscience and religious practice, it does not permit conversion from one faith to another. “The word ‘Propagation’ means to promote, but it does not mean to convert any person from his religion to another religion,” the order stated.
The court noted the absence of Ramphal and witness testimonies accusing Kailash of facilitating conversions. It stressed that if such activities continue, the country’s majority population could become a minority. The court insisted that religious gatherings leading to conversions must be stopped immediately.
“It has come to the Court’s notice in several cases that unlawful conversions of people from SC/ST and other economically poor castes to Christianity are rampant throughout Uttar Pradesh,” the court added.
By denying bail to Kailash, the court has signalled its intention to curb these activities and maintain demographic stability.
