New Delhi: The Supreme Court has termed the conversion of religion by pressure, deception or greed as a serious matter. The court observed that this is not only against the right to religious freedom but also a threaten to the security of the country.
The court has asked the Central government to file a reply by November 22 on the demand for a law against illegal conversion. The next hearing is on November 28.
On September 23, a bench headed by Justice M R Shah had issued notice on the demand for a strict law against wrongful conversions. Petitioner Ashwini Upadhyay has sought strict dealing with those who convert through pressure, greed or deception. In his petition, he has cited other incidents, including the case of Lavanya, who committed suicide due to pressure.
What is the Lavanya case?
Lavanya, a 17-year-old student from Thanjavur in Tamil Nadu, committed suicide by consuming pesticide on January 19 this year. Just before that, student made a video. In that video, Lavanya had said that her school ‘Sacred Heart Higher Secondary’ was pressuring her to become a Christian.
She is giving her life due to constant harassment for this.
The Madras High Court had handed over the investigation of the incident to the CBI. The Supreme Court had also upheld the high court order.