Hindus need approval before converting to Buddhism, Sikhism, Jainism, says Gujarat government

Persons in Gujarat who wish to undergo religious conversion from Hinduism to Buddhism, Jainism and Sikhism will need to seek their district magistrate’s prior approval under provisions of the Gujarat Freedom of Religion Act, the state home department said in a circular on Monday, reported The Indian Express on Thursday.

The circular said that Buddhism, Jainism and Sikhism were distinct from the Hindu religion as per the Act. It also claimed that district magistrates were not processing applications for conversion to Buddhism in compliance with the Act.

“Representations are being received from applicants and autonomous bodies that for religious conversion from Hinduism to Buddhism, prior permission is not required,” read the circular, signed by Deputy Secretary (Home) Vijay Badheka, according to The Indian Express.

Badheka pointed out that some officers were disposing of applications on grounds that “under Article 25(2) of the Constitution, Sikhism, Jainism and Buddhism are included within Hinduism and so the applicant is not required to take permission” for such conversions.

The circular said that such replies could lead to litigation and clarified that as per the Gujarat Freedom of Religion Act, “the person who is getting another to convert from Hinduism to Buddhism/Sikhism/Jainism will have to take prior permission of the district magistrate in a prescribed format”.

District magistrates, on the other hand,...

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