Conversion for benefits is fraud on Constitution: SC

If the purpose of conversion is largely to derive the benefits of reservation and not actual belief... the same cannot be permitted

- Utkarsh Anand

The Supreme Court on Tuesday ruled that religious conversions motivated solely by the prospect of availing certain benefits, such as reservations in employment, are impermissible, calling such actions a "fraud on the Constitution".

While acknowledging the fundamental right to freely practise and profess a religion under Article 25 of the Constitution, a bench of justices Pankaj Mithal and R Mahadevan emphasised that genuine conversions are driven by sincere belief, not by ulterior motives.

"One converts to a different religion when he/she is genuinely inspired by its principles, tenets, and spiritual thoughts...However, if the purpose of conversion is largely to derive the benefits of reservation but not with any actual belief in the other religion, the same cannot be permitted," it held.