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Petition claims poor and vulnerable targeted through inducements, fraud and fake miracle cures; Centre and Punjab govt asked to respond
Chandigarh: The Punjab and Haryana High Court on Friday issued notice to the Centre and the Punjab government on a petition alleging large-scale religious conversions through inducement, coercion and fraudulent “magical healing” practices backed by foreign funding.
The Division Bench of Chief Justice Sheel Nagu and Justice Sanjiv Berry sought responses from the respondents after hearing a plea filed by petitioner Tejasvi Minhas, who contended that such conversions were unconstitutional, illegal and in violation of existing criminal and medical laws.The matter has now been listed for further hearing on April 20.
Plea Alleges Inducement, Foreign Funding and Exploitation of Poor
Appearing for the petitioner, counsel Vishal Garg Narwana argued that the law clearly prohibits religious conversion by force, coercion, misrepresentation, undue influence or inducement — including promises of money, employment, free education, healthcare or improved living conditions.
The petition alleged that thousands of poor and vulnerable residents in Jalandhar and nearby districts were being targeted through prayer meetings, miracle healing sessions and the use of so-called “anointing oil”, which was used as a tool to influence Sikhs and Hindus to convert to Christianity.
It further claimed that such activities were allegedly funded through foreign sources and carried out under the guise of spiritual healing and religious gatherings.
‘Quacks’ Accused of Fraudulent Healing Without Medical Qualification
The petitioner alleged that several individuals involved in miracle healing had no recognised medical qualifications and were effectively practising medicine illegally, misleading patients with false promises of cures.
“These persons knowingly cheat vulnerable patients and their families by offering unrecognised treatments and exploiting their faith and desperation,” the plea stated.
The petition also cited instances where patients allegedly died during such miracle healing sessions, with families reportedly told that the deaths were acts of divine will rather than medical negligence.
It urged the court to initiate action under the Drugs and Magical Remedies (Objectionable Advertisements) Act and relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), including cheating, causing harm and culpable homicide.
Concerns Raised Over Impact on SC Communities and Constitutional Rights
The plea highlighted that such conversions could have serious legal consequences for Scheduled Caste individuals, including the loss of reservation benefits guaranteed under the Constitution.
It emphasised that while Article 25 guarantees freedom of conscience and the right to profess and propagate religion, it does not permit conversions through fraud, coercion or inducement.
“Fraudulent conversions violate the freedom of conscience of individuals and cannot claim constitutional protection,” the petition argued. Taking note of the allegations, the High Court has now sought replies from the Centre and the Punjab government, setting the stage for judicial scrutiny of the claims involving alleged coercive religious conversion practices in the state.
