25 Jan 2026·Source: The Indian Express

3 min

Polity & GovernanceSocial IssuesNEWS

UP: Students Booked Under Anti-Conversion Law Over Burqa Row

Five students booked in UP under anti-conversion law after burqa row.

Photo by Brett Jordan

Five students in Uttar Pradesh have been booked under the state's anti-conversion law following a dispute over wearing a burqa. The incident highlights the ongoing tensions and legal implications surrounding religious practices and conversions in the state. The application of the Uttar Pradesh Prohibition of Unlawful Conversion of Religion Act, 2021 raises concerns about its interpretation and enforcement in cases involving personal choices and religious expression.

Key Facts

Students booked: Under UP's anti-conversion law

Law: Uttar Pradesh Prohibition of Unlawful Conversion of Religion Act, 2021

UPSC Exam Angles

GS Paper II: Polity and Governance - Laws regulating religious conversion

Fundamental Rights (Article 25), Secularism, Federalism

Potential question types: Statement-based, analytical, critical evaluation

Visual Insights

Anti-Conversion Law Cases in Uttar Pradesh

Map showing the location of Uttar Pradesh and highlighting the state's anti-conversion law.

Loading interactive map...

📍Uttar Pradesh

More Information

Background

The history of laws regulating religious conversion in India dates back to the colonial era. Princely states like Raigarh, Surguja, and Patna enacted laws in the 1930s and 40s to prevent conversions, often targeting Christian missionaries. These laws typically required prior permission from the local ruler for conversions.

Post-independence, the issue gained traction with the rise of Hindu nationalist movements. The first post-independence law was enacted in Orissa in 1967, followed by Madhya Pradesh in 1968. These early laws aimed to prevent conversions through 'force' or 'inducement,' terms that have been subject to broad interpretation.

The constitutionality of these laws has been challenged multiple times, with varying outcomes in different High Courts. The debate continues to revolve around the fundamental rights to freedom of religion (Article 25) and the right to propagate one's religion, balanced against concerns about public order and the potential for coercion.

Latest Developments

In recent years, several states, including Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, and Himachal Pradesh, have strengthened their anti-conversion laws. These laws often include stricter penalties and place the burden of proof on the person accused of unlawful conversion. There has been a rise in the number of cases registered under these laws, leading to concerns about their potential misuse and impact on interfaith relations.

The Allahabad High Court has, in some instances, provided interpretations that safeguard individual autonomy and choice in matters of marriage and conversion. The future outlook involves continued legal challenges to these laws, particularly concerning their compatibility with constitutional principles of secularism and individual liberty. The Supreme Court is also likely to play a crucial role in clarifying the scope and limitations of such legislation.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is the Uttar Pradesh Prohibition of Unlawful Conversion of Religion Act, 2021, and why is it important in the context of this news?

The Uttar Pradesh Prohibition of Unlawful Conversion of Religion Act, 2021, aims to regulate religious conversions in the state. It is important because this law is the basis for the booking of the students in the burqa row, raising questions about its application and interpretation.

2. What are the key facts about the burqa row case in Uttar Pradesh for the Prelims exam?

For the Prelims exam, remember that five students in Uttar Pradesh have been booked under the Uttar Pradesh Prohibition of Unlawful Conversion of Religion Act, 2021, following a dispute related to wearing a burqa.

3. What is the historical background of laws regulating religious conversion in India?

Laws regulating religious conversion in India date back to the colonial era. Princely states like Raigarh, Surguja, and Patna enacted laws in the 1930s and 40s to prevent conversions, often targeting Christian missionaries. Post-independence, the issue gained traction with the rise of Hindu nationalism.

4. Why is the Uttar Pradesh burqa row case in the news recently?

The Uttar Pradesh burqa row case is in the news because five students have been booked under the state's anti-conversion law, highlighting tensions surrounding religious practices and the enforcement of the Uttar Pradesh Prohibition of Unlawful Conversion of Religion Act, 2021.

5. What are the potential implications of the Uttar Pradesh Prohibition of Unlawful Conversion of Religion Act, 2021, on personal choices and religious expression?

The application of the Uttar Pradesh Prohibition of Unlawful Conversion of Religion Act, 2021, raises concerns about its interpretation and enforcement in cases involving personal choices and religious expression, potentially impacting the freedom to practice one's religion.

6. What recent developments have occurred concerning anti-conversion laws in India?

7. How might the 'Right to Equality (Article 14)' be relevant in cases related to the Uttar Pradesh Prohibition of Unlawful Conversion of Religion Act, 2021?

The Right to Equality (Article 14) ensures that all citizens are treated equally before the law. In cases related to the Uttar Pradesh Prohibition of Unlawful Conversion of Religion Act, 2021, Article 14 could be invoked if the law is applied in a discriminatory manner or if it disproportionately affects certain religious groups.

8. What are the pros and cons of having anti-conversion laws like the Uttar Pradesh Prohibition of Unlawful Conversion of Religion Act, 2021?

Pros include preventing forced conversions and maintaining social order. Cons include potential misuse, infringement on personal freedom, and targeting of minority groups. These laws can also raise concerns about the state's role in regulating personal beliefs and practices.

9. What are common misconceptions about anti-conversion laws?

A common misconception is that these laws only target specific religions. However, they are framed as preventing forced or fraudulent conversions, regardless of the religions involved. Another misconception is that they are universally supported, when in reality, they are often controversial and face legal challenges.

10. How many students were booked under the Uttar Pradesh anti-conversion law in the burqa row case?

Five students were booked under the Uttar Pradesh anti-conversion law in the burqa row case, as per the provided information.

Practice Questions (MCQs)

1. Consider the following statements regarding the Uttar Pradesh Prohibition of Unlawful Conversion of Religion Act, 2021: 1. The Act places the burden of proof on the accused to prove that the conversion was not unlawful. 2. The Act requires prior approval from the District Magistrate for any religious conversion. 3. The Act criminalizes religious conversions only if they are done through marriage. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

A.1 and 2 only
B.2 and 3 only
C.1 and 3 only
D.1, 2 and 3

Show Answer

Answer: A

Statement 1 is CORRECT: The Act indeed places the burden of proof on the accused to demonstrate that the conversion was not unlawful. Statement 2 is CORRECT: Prior approval from the District Magistrate is required for religious conversion under the Act. Statement 3 is INCORRECT: The Act criminalizes religious conversions done through various means, including but not limited to marriage. It covers conversions done through misrepresentation, force, undue influence, coercion, allurement, or by any fraudulent means.

2. Which of the following statements accurately reflects the stance of the Supreme Court of India on religious conversions?

A.The Supreme Court has consistently upheld the constitutional validity of all anti-conversion laws.
B.The Supreme Court has ruled that the right to propagate religion does not include the right to convert others.
C.The Supreme Court has declared all state anti-conversion laws as unconstitutional and void.
D.The Supreme Court has maintained a neutral stance, leaving the decision on the validity of anti-conversion laws to individual High Courts.

Show Answer

Answer: B

Option B is the most accurate. The Supreme Court has held that while Article 25 guarantees the right to propagate one's religion, it does not extend to the right to convert others. The Court has expressed concerns about conversions obtained through coercion, inducement, or fraud. The constitutional validity of anti-conversion laws has been a subject of debate and varying interpretations by different High Courts, and the Supreme Court has not issued a blanket ruling either upholding or striking down all such laws.

3. Consider the following pairs: List I (State) 1. Orissa 2. Madhya Pradesh 3. Arunachal Pradesh List II (Year of Enactment of Anti-Conversion Law) a. 1968 b. 1978 c. 1967 Which of the following is correctly matched?

A.1-c only
B.1-c and 2-a only
C.2-a and 3-b only
D.1-c, 2-a and 3-b

Show Answer

Answer: D

The correct matching is: Orissa - 1967 (c), Madhya Pradesh - 1968 (a), and Arunachal Pradesh - 1978 (b). Orissa was the first state to enact an anti-conversion law in 1967, followed by Madhya Pradesh in 1968, and Arunachal Pradesh in 1978.