Allahabad High Court has advocated that conversion “just for the purpose of marriage” is unacceptable.
A bench led by Justice Mahesh Chandra Tripati passed the order while dismissing a writ petition seeking police protection filed by a married couple.
It made the observation after noting that the woman, Priyanshi alias Samreen, had converted from Islam to Hinduism just a month before the marriage was solemnised.
While seeking police protection, the couple in the petition alleged the girl’s family was interfering in their peaceful marriage.
Rejecting the plea, the court stated: “This court is not inclined to interfere in the matter under Article 266 of Constitution of India.”
It also referred to the 2014 Noor Jahan Begum judgment when the court observed that conversion just for the purpose of marriage is unacceptable.
The issue considered in the 2014 case was: “Whether conversion of religion of a Hindu girl at the instance of a Muslim boy, without any knowledge of Islam or faith and belief in Islam and merely for the purpose of marriage (Nikah) is valid?”
Reiterating the Supreme Court’s stand in the case of Lily Thomas vs Union of India, the court said conversion to Islam can be valid only when done of a person’s “free-will” and “belief in the oneness of God” and not for “creating a ground for some claim of right”.
Taking a leaf out of the verdict, Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath said the government is taking concerted efforts to legally stop such cases of forceful conversions.
Issuing a warning against “love jihad”, Adityanath said: “Allahabad HC said religious conversion isn’t necessary for marriage. Government will also work to curb ‘Love Jihad’, we’ll make a law. I warn those who conceal identity & play with our sisters’ respect, if you don’t mend your ways your ‘Ram naam satya’ journey will begin.”
