Anti-conversion laws are state-level legislations aimed at regulating religious conversions and preventing conversions through force, fraud, coercion, or inducement.

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• Anti-conversion laws, also known as Freedom of Religion Acts, prohibit conversion through force, fraud, undue influence, or allurement.
• Some state laws require prior notification or permission from district authorities before a person converts to another religion.
• These laws prescribe penalties such as fines and imprisonment for unlawful conversions.
• The need for such laws is often justified on the grounds of preventing forced conversions, protecting vulnerable groups, and maintaining public order.
• Article 25 of the Constitution guarantees freedom of conscience and the right to profess, practice, and propagate religion, subject to public order, morality, and health.
• In Rev. Stanislaus v. State of Madhya Pradesh, the Supreme Court held that the right to propagate religion does not include the right to convert another person by force.
• There is no central anti-conversion law in India; however, states such as Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Uttarakhand, and Himachal Pradesh have enacted such laws.
• Concerns associated with these laws include vague terminology like “allurement” and “inducement,” possible misuse, and alleged infringement of fundamental rights.
• Critics argue that prior permission requirements may violate personal autonomy as recognised in K.S. Puttaswamy v. Union of India.
• Constitutional challenges are pending before various High Courts and the Supreme Court regarding the validity of certain state provisions.