In one of the recent rulings, the Allahabad High Court stated that although religious choices and conversions are allowed in India, they must follow the law. The statement from Justice Prashant Kumars bench underlined that there must be convincing evidence of a persons wish to change their religion, as well as overt acts that indicate this desire.Notably, the Court also provided a precise, step-by-step guide for those wishing to convert to a different faith, stressing the significance of following the law and drawing attention from the public.The court also emphasized that one must have to change the religion in all the government IDs across the country. The ruling came during the observations of a case with a Section 482 plea moved by a Muslim man and his wife who is Hindu by religion seeking to quash a 2016 FIR that was lodged against the person.The Court directed the Counsel appearing for the state to confirm that the conversion was not carried out to circumvent legal requirements, under any stress, or out of greed, and to gather information regarding whether the conversion was performed or was only done for marriage. The Court emphasized that although anyone in India is free to change their religion, a simple oral or written declaration does not constitute conversion.The Uttar Pradesh Prohibition of Unlawful Conversion of Religion Act, 2021, mandates the person who desires to convert his/her religion to give a declaration at least sixty days in advance to the District Magistrate or Addition District Magistrate, mentioning that decision of religion change is his own.
