Considering the matters of inter-religious marriages, Rajasthan HC issued tough guidelines for religious conversions and inter-faith marriages. The verdict for the strict guidelines regarding inter-faith marriages came after petition filed by Chirag Singhvi. He claimed that his sister Payal was forcibly converted to Islam for marriage.
This is not the first time. There are many minor girls who have been targeted and forcefully converted into other religion for the marriage. This is also specifically mentioned that a minor cannot convert the religion.
The guidelines “to check the problem of forcible conversion of religion” are given by bench of justices Gopal Krishna Vyas and Virendra Kumar Mathur. It is said that stringent action would be taken against those found forcing people to convert. Even, if any organisation is found guilty then its licence will be cancelled.
The person who is opting for religious conversion in Rajasthan should inform the District Collector one week in advance. The court will also ascertain whether the conversion is forceful or willful. If conversion is willful then one can marry.
If a marriage is in contravention of the guidelines, the marriage can be declared void upon complaint of the aggrieved party.
Every citizen has a fundamental right of freedom of religion under Article 25 of the Constitution of India, but at the same time, it is the duty of every citizen to protect the feelings of other religion and not to act contrary to the provisions of Constitution,” the bench added. But this does not mean that marriage has been done by forceful conversion of religion.
