New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Friday refused to hear the application for black magic and forced conversion. Also, the court said that a person over 18 years of age is free to choose his religion. It was said in the petition that the Center and the state have failed to ban the conversion from witchcraft, superstition, and deceit, whereas under Article 51A it is their responsibility to stop it.
A bench of Justice RF Nariman, Justice BR Gavai and Justice Hrishikesh Roy told senior advocate Sankaranarayana, appearing on behalf of the petitioner advocate Ashwini Upadhyay, ‘What kind of petition is this under Article 32. We will impose heavy penalty on you. You will debate your risk.
The bench said that there is no reason for not allowing anyone above 18 years of age to choose their religion. The bench told Sankaranarayan, “The reason behind the inclusion of the word propaganda in the constitution.” After this, Sankaranarayan sought permission to withdraw the petition and file a report before the government and the Law Commission.
The bench refused to allow the report before the Law Commission and said, “We cannot give you this permission.” The court disposed of it as a withdrawn petition. It was said in the petition that it is regrettable that the Center and the state have failed to stop the conversion of sorcery, superstition and deceit, whereas under Article 51A it is their responsibility to stop it.
