Anushka Mansharamani
On 18th December, the Allahabad High Court issued a notice on the Public Interest Litigations that were filed challenging the Uttar Pradesh Prohibition of Unlawful Conversion of Religion Ordinance, 2020.
The Uttar Pradesh Prohibition of Unlawful Conversion of Religion Ordinance, 2020, is a law that was enforced by Uttar Pradesh in November to prohibit religious conversions in the name of ‘love Jihad.’
A bench led by Chief Justice Govind Mathur sought a response for the Uttar Pradesh government to file a counter affidavit on the same by 4th January 2021.
The case is listed for final hearing on 7th January, and a rejoinder affidavit can be filed by the petitioners by 6th January.
The bench did not grant interim relief in the form of a stay order. However, the petitioners had contended that the ordinance violates their fundamental rights guaranteed under Article 14, Article 15, Article 21, and Article 25 of the Constitution of India.
The petitioner further contended that there was no ground to exercise the said ordinance under Article 213 of the constitution of India and that the State had failed to justify the law.