Lucknow- 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.

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.