A petition has been filed in the Supreme Court seeking strict nationwide directions to control alleged “deceitful religious conversion,” following recent allegations of sexual harassment and forced conversion raised by female employees at Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) in Nashik.
The plea, filed by advocate Ashwini Kumar Upadhyay through advocate Ashwani Dubey, argues that organised or coercive religious conversion poses a serious threat to India’s constitutional values, including sovereignty, secularism, and national unity.
Petition Links Conversion Claims to National Security
The petition contends that forced or fraudulent conversion is not just a personal or religious matter but part of a larger and organised activity that could impact the country’s demographic balance.
It claims that such activities, when systematic and coercive, may fall within the definition of a terrorist act under Section 113 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, and Section 15 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967.
The plea states, “Forceful or deceitful religious conversion is often part of a systematic conspiracy and cannot be treated as an isolated religious act.”
It further argues that such activities are sometimes funded by foreign entities and therefore should be dealt with more strictly.
Demands Before the Supreme Court
The petition seeks directions to both the Central and state governments to take “stringent measures” against alleged fraudulent conversions.
It also requests the establishment of special courts to handle such cases and demands that punishments in conversion-related offences be made consecutive rather than concurrent.
Additionally, the plea asks the court to formally declare that conversion through fraud, force, or coercion should be treated as a punishable offence under stronger legal scrutiny.
Interpretation of Religious Freedom Under Question
A major argument in the petition is the interpretation of Article 25 of the Constitution, which guarantees freedom of religion.
The petitioner argues that while citizens have the right to freely profess, practice, and propagate religion, this does not include the right to convert others through fraud or coercion.
The plea states, “The freedom to practice religion is not absolute. It is subject to public order, morality, and health, and cannot be misused in the name of propagation.”
It further clarifies that constitutional religious freedom allows belief and practice, but not forced conversion.
Background: TCS Nashik Allegations
The petition has been filed in the backdrop of allegations made by eight female employees at the TCS Nashik office, who accused colleagues of sexual harassment and claimed there were attempts at forced religious conversion.
The controversy has triggered wider debate on workplace conduct, legal safeguards, and the interpretation of religious freedom in professional environments.
Broader Legal Context
The Supreme Court has previously acknowledged that cases involving religious conversion require careful consideration and should not be politicised. In earlier proceedings, the court had also sought assistance from the Attorney General in matters relating to alleged fraudulent conversions.
The current petition continues that broader legal debate, pushing for stricter laws and a more uniform national framework to address conversion-related complaints.
The matter is yet to be listed for detailed hearing.
