The Allahabad High Court has raised concerns over the increasing trend of religious conversions, warning that the majority of India’s population could become a minority if such practices continue unchecked. The court’s remarks came during a bail hearing for an individual accused of converting villagers in Uttar Pradesh to Christianity under the guise of a well-being ceremony.

Justice Rohit Ranjan Agarwal, presiding over the bench, highlighted the urgent need to halt religious congregations where conversions are allegedly taking place. “The majority of the population would find itself in the minority if the current trend of conversion in religious congregations is not stopped,” Justice Agarwal observed.

The court also pointed out the widespread practice of unlawful conversions targeting Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST), and economically disadvantaged communities across Uttar Pradesh. “It has come into notice of this Court in several cases that unlawful activity of conversion of people of SC/ST castes and other castes including economically poor persons into Christianity is being done at a rampant pace throughout the State of Uttar Pradesh,” the bench stated.

Referring to Article 25 of the Indian Constitution, which guarantees the freedom to practice and propagate religion, the court emphasized that the provision does not endorse religious conversions. “The word ‘Propagation’ means to promote, but it does not mean to convert any person from his religion to another religion,” the court clarified.