Defending Article 25: Upholding Religious Freedom and Unity in India

 In recent time, worries were raised about forced conversions via Christians, frequently referred to as "rice bag conversions" by the right wing group in India. It’s crucial to cope with this difficulty with authentic accuracy and equity. Many claims about these conversions lack credible evidence and are frequently exaggerated, main to pointless division.

Conversion has a long records in India, related to Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, Islam, and Christianity. Movements like "Ghar Wapsi" actively inspire conversions to Hinduism, from time to time the use of incentives and pressure processes. For instance, in 2014, reviews surfaced approximately two hundred Muslims being transformed to Hinduism in Agra underneath questionable instances.

Coercion in any form is illegal and immoral. Article 25 of the Indian Constitution ensures the right to freely profess, exercise, and propagate faith. This safety applies universally, whether individuals are changing to or from Hinduism, Christianity, Islam, or another faith. India’s fame as a secular democracy depends on upholding these freedoms. Condemning one network even as ignoring comparable movements within every other is hypocritical and unfair.

Furthermore, it's crucial to deal with the violence perpetrated by way of Hindu fundamentalists in opposition to minority spiritual communities. Attacks on church buildings and mosques are properly-documented, reflecting a traumatic fashion of non secular intolerance. For instance, in 2021 alone, numerous assaults on church buildings have been mentioned throughout India, along frequent incidents of vandalism and arson targeting mosques. These acts of violence are an affront to our constitutional values and undermine the precept of peaceful coexistence.

Similarly, there were assaults through Muslim extremists, along with the vandalism of Hindu temples and communal riots incited by using fundamentalist corporations. These actions, whether perpetrated via Hindus or Muslims, are similarly condemnable and pose a great chance to countrywide concord.

Calls to amend Article 25 misunderstand its essential role. This article is a cornerstone of our secular democracy, ensuring anyone’s right to non secular freedom. Restricting these freedoms could undermine the principles of equality and pluralism that democracy stands for, doubtlessly leading to expanded anxiety and department amongst communities. 

If the nation starts interfering with non-public beliefs and practices, it sets a risky precedent. Instead of amending Article 25, the focus should be on ensuring that each one conversions are moral and voluntary. Enforcing present legal guidelines against coercion and ensuring transparency can cope with worries with out compromising our constitutional values.

Protecting religious freedom is important for keeping peace and concord in our various society. By making use of the equal moral requirements universally and promoting voluntary and ethical conversions, we are able to uphold the values enshrined in our Constitution and foster a simply, honest, and united India. Acts of violence and coercion, whether by Hindu or Muslim extremists, need to be unequivocally condemned and addressed to make sure the safety of all citizens' rights and the protection of social concord.

Thank you for taking the time to read and consider these important issues.

— Stephen