L40 Religion

Do Indians have freedom of religion? Meaning, do they have the right to invite others into their faith and the right to easily leave their faith? The Constitution says yes, but the laws say no. India is an unusual nation where propagation is both a fundamental right and a criminal offence. A fundamental right is defined as one that enjoys a high level of protection from encroachment by the state. But Article 25 (right to freely profess and propagate religion) doesn’t enjoy such protection. https://thewire.in/rights/do-indians-have-right-to-freedom-of-religion-constitution-says-yes-but-the-laws-say-no In effect, the Constitution tells us we are free to propagate but when we do so the police shows up and takes us away. On July 11 this year it was reported that the Allahabad High Court rejected the bail of a man named Shriniwas Rav Nayak with the observation that “the Constitution confers on each individual the fundamental right to profess, practice and propagate his religion. However, the individual right to freedom of conscience and religion cannot be extended to construe a collective right to proselytise”. by Aakar Patel 16/07/2024