THE ASIAN INDEPENDENT UK
Lucknow, 8 August 2026: Socialist Party (India) organised a conference at the Press Club, Lucknow, on the issue of “Victimisation of Christians under the Uttar Pradesh Prohibition of Unlawful Conversion of Religion Act.” The conference examined the implementation of the Uttar Pradesh Prohibition of Unlawful Conversion of Religion Act, 2021, and its 2024 amendment, particularly in cases involving pastors, Christian believers and persons participating in prayer meetings across Uttar Pradesh.
The conference brought together politicians, academics, activists, lawyers, religious representatives and civil society members. Speakers included Harsh Mander, retired IAS officer associated with Karwan-e-Mohabbat; John Dayal, former Secretary General, All India Christian Council; Professor Roop Rekha Verma, former Vice Chancellor, Lucknow University; Father Anand, Catholic activist priest and playwright; Father Dr Donald D’Souza, Chancellor and Spokesperson, Catholic Diocese of Lucknow; Chhotebhai, Convenor, India Catholic Forum; and Advocate Salahuddin Shibu, President, Socialist Party (India), Uttar Pradesh. The conference was chaired by Advocate Mohammad Shoaib, former President, Socialist Party (India), Uttar Pradesh, and moderated by Meenakshi Martin Singh and Rajeev Yadav.
Analysis of Cases Raises Serious Concerns
Speakers presented an analysis of cases registered in different districts of Uttar Pradesh between July 2022 and July 2026 involving pastors, Christian believers and persons attending prayer meetings.
According to the analysis, several recurring patterns emerged. Prayer meetings conducted in private homes or rented premises were allegedly disrupted following objections or complaints by third parties, including persons associated with Hindutva organisations. FIRs alleging unlawful religious conversion were subsequently registered in several instances, even where, according to the organisers, there appeared to be no evidence of an actual conversion.
Several FIRs reportedly contained similar allegations, including claims that Christianity was being glorified, Hinduism denigrated, money offered for conversion or miraculous healing promised. In three cases from Barabanki district, the complainant was reportedly the same person, while some complainants were associated with organisations such as the Bajrang Dal or Vishva Hindu Parishad rather than persons claiming to have been unlawfully converted.
Concern was also expressed over accused persons allegedly remaining incarcerated for weeks or months before securing bail. Two cases involving pregnant women were highlighted, including one in which a woman reportedly suffered a miscarriage while in custody. Allegations of assault, intimidation and custodial ill-treatment were also discussed.
Peaceful Prayer Meetings Should Not Be Criminalised
Speakers argued that enforcement of the Act may, in some instances, have extended beyond its stated purpose of preventing conversion through force, fraud or coercion. They emphasised that peaceful religious gatherings and expressions of religious belief should not by themselves become grounds for criminal prosecution.
The conference noted that Article 25 of the Constitution guarantees freedom of conscience and the right freely to profess, practise and propagate religion, subject to constitutional limitations. Concerns were also raised regarding equality before law under Article 14, protection of life and personal liberty under Article 21, due process and protection against arbitrary arrest and custodial violence.
Speakers warned that arrests, prolonged criminal proceedings and disruption of prayer meetings could create a chilling effect on religious freedom. Some pastors and Christian believers reportedly stopped conducting prayer meetings or substantially reduced their religious activities following arrest and prosecution.
Recommendations to the Government
Socialist Party (India) called upon the Uttar Pradesh Government to immediately review implementation of the Act. Criminal proceedings, it argued, should be initiated only where credible evidence exists of force, coercion, fraud or other prohibited conduct. Police should not interfere with peaceful prayer meetings merely because objections have been raised to their religious nature unless there is reasonable suspicion of a cognisable offence.
The conference also called for independent investigation into allegations of custodial violence and police misconduct, accountability and compensation where arrests or detention are found unlawful, and clear operational guidelines distinguishing peaceful religious practice from unlawful conversion.
The judiciary was urged to ensure prompt disposal of such cases and closely scrutinise the evidentiary basis of prosecutions, particularly those initiated through third-party complaints.
Socialist Party (India) Demands Repeal of the Act
In view of the recurring patterns and constitutional and human rights concerns highlighted at the conference, Socialist Party (India) called for the repeal of the Uttar Pradesh Prohibition of Unlawful Conversion of Religion Act, 2021, along with its 2024 amendment.
The Party maintained that freedom of conscience and religious practice are fundamental constitutional guarantees and called upon democratic organisations, human rights groups, lawyers, academics, journalists and concerned citizens to defend the constitutional rights and civil liberties of all citizens irrespective of religious identity.
