New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Monday dismissed a petition challenging the restriction on the entry of Christian missionaries and priests into certain tribal villages in Chhattisgarh. In doing so, the apex court upheld a significant High Court order regarding religious conversion and social harmony.

Key Observations by the Court

The bench, comprising Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta, highlighted the following key points:

Sensitivity of Conversion: Religious conversion has long been a sensitive issue in India's socio-political landscape. Conversions allegedly targeting poor and uneducated tribal and rural populations have particularly become a matter of controversy.

Religious Freedom vs. Misuse: While the Constitution grants every citizen the freedom to practice and propagate their religion, the misuse of this freedom through force, allurement, or fraud is a matter of serious concern.

Cultural Identity: The court observed that mass or intentional conversions not only disturb social harmony but also pose a challenge to the cultural identity of local communities.

Arguments Presented

For the Petitioners: Senior Advocate Colin Gonsalves argued that the High Court made sweeping observations without substantial evidence. He cited instances of attacks on priests and cases where converted tribals were denied burial rights.

For the Government: Solicitor General Tushar Mehta argued that the scope of the case before the High Court was limited specifically to the removal of signboards prohibiting entry into villages.

Summary of the Judgment

The Supreme Court noted that the High Court had already directed the petitioners to approach the relevant Gram Sabhas (village councils). The bench stated that new allegations, which were not part of the High Court proceedings, cannot be presented directly before the Supreme Court. Finding no reason to interfere with the High Court's order, the petition was dismissed.