Overview
On 13 April 2026, the Supreme Court agreed to hear a petition challenging the constitutional validity of the Rajasthan Prohibition of Unlawful Conversion of Religion Act, 2025. The bench, comprising Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi, issued notices to the Rajasthan Government and the Centre, seeking their written responses.
Key Developments
- The petition alleges that the Act infringes fundamental rights guaranteed under Articles 14, 19 and 21 of the Constitution.
- The bench has set a timetable for filing affidavits, indicating a detailed judicial scrutiny of the law.
- Both the state and the Union have been asked to justify the necessity of the law in the context of federalism and personal law autonomy.
Important Facts
The legislation was enacted in 2025 following a series of high‑profile conversion controversies in Rajasthan. It defines unlawful conversion of religion and prescribes penalties, including imprisonment and fines, for those found guilty of inducing conversion by coercion or deceit.
Exam Relevance
For aspirants, the case highlights several core topics: constitutional law (balance between fundamental rights and state legislation), federal structure (state’s power to legislate on personal matters versus Union competence), and the politics of religious conversion laws across India. Understanding the judicial reasoning will aid in answering GS2 questions on “Judicial Review” and “Centre‑State Relations”.
Way Forward
The Supreme Court will examine the petition, hear arguments from the state and Union, and eventually pronounce on the Act’s constitutionality. A striking down could set a precedent for other states with similar statutes, while upholding the law would reinforce the trend of state‑driven regulation of personal laws.