India’s Catholic bishops have secured an early procedural opening in a constitutional challenge to a state level anti conversion law, after the Supreme Court agreed to examine key questions raised by religious minorities. The court has asked the Rajasthan government to formally respond to petitions challenging the Prohibition of Unlawful Conversion of Religion Act 2025, a move seen as an initial step in what is expected to be a lengthy legal process. Church leaders say the law grants sweeping authority to administrative officials and risks undermining fundamental freedoms. The case has drawn national attention as it touches on the balance between state power and personal conscience in a country defined by religious diversity. While the ruling does not suspend the law, it signals judicial willingness to scrutinize its constitutional validity.
The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India is among the petitioners arguing that the Rajasthan law violates multiple constitutional protections, including freedom of religion, personal liberty, equality, and privacy. Bishops have expressed concern that the law allows punitive actions based on suspicion rather than proven wrongdoing. According to their submission, authorities could confiscate property or take action against individuals and institutions accused of facilitating conversions without a prior judicial determination of guilt. Church representatives say this framework exposes minorities to arbitrary enforcement and creates fear among communities engaged in routine pastoral, charitable, and educational activities. They warn that vague language in the law could allow ordinary expressions of faith to be mischaracterized as unlawful conduct.
Another major point of contention is the procedure imposed on individuals wishing to change their religion. The law requires advance declarations to civil authorities and imposes penalties for failure to comply. Bishops argue this forces people to disclose deeply personal decisions to the state, infringing on autonomy and privacy. They have also criticized provisions that place the burden of proof on the accused to demonstrate that a conversion was voluntary. Church leaders say this reverses basic principles of criminal justice and exposes innocent people to legal risk. Catholic representatives have emphasized that the Church rejects forced conversions and insists that faith must be freely chosen, aligning its teaching with constitutional guarantees of liberty.
The case reflects wider concerns across India, where multiple states have enacted or proposed similar laws. Church leaders say these measures risk reducing religion from a matter of conscience to one of state permission. While affirming respect for public order and social harmony, bishops have urged courts to ensure that laws do not erode core freedoms or marginalize minority communities. The Supreme Court’s decision to seek a response from the Rajasthan government is seen as an important moment for religious minorities seeking constitutional clarity. As the legal process continues, the outcome may shape how freedom of religion is interpreted and protected across the country.
