The Gujarat government, in a recent development earlier this week, has issued a circular delineating Buddhism as a distinct religion under the Gujarat Freedom of Religion Act, 2003. Consequently, conversions from Hinduism to Buddhism, Jainism, and Sikhism now necessitate prior approval from respective district magistrates, as per the directive.The directive, released by the state home department on April 8, is aimed at resolving concerns regarding the handling of conversion applications across districts in the state. It seeks to address discrepancies in the interpretation of the Gujarat Freedom of Religion Act by various district magistrate offices, emphasizing the need for adherence to prescribed procedures for conversion applications.The circular acknowledges instances where applicants and autonomous bodies have contested the necessity of prior permission for conversions from Hinduism to Buddhism. It cautions against potential legal challenges arising from a lack of clarity on legal provisions related to religious conversions and stresses the importance of a thorough examination of the legal framework by district magistrates.Weve observed lapses in adhering to prescribed procedures for applications seeking permission for Hinduism to Buddhism conversions. Additionally, feedback from applicants and autonomous bodies suggests that prior permission is deemed unnecessary for such religious conversions, stated the notification.Under the Act, Buddhism holds a separate status, requiring those facilitating conversions to obtain prior permission from the district magistrate. Furthermore, individuals undergoing conversion are mandated to inform the district magistrate accordingly to ensure compliance with legal provisions.District magistrates are directed to conduct a meticulous review of conversion applications in line with legal requirements and state government directives. This initiative aims to streamline the process and ensure consistency in handling religious conversion applications across districts in Gujarat.
