No curbs on conversion in Constitution: former SC judge K. T. Thomas

During the sixth Dr. Stanley Samartha Memorial Lecture, on Thursday, former Supreme Court judge K.T Thomas said, “No legislation has imposed any restriction on conversion if it is done by one’s own free will.”

Explaining the "Right to convert and the Indian Constitution," Mr. Thomas said, the right to "freedom of conscience" was a fundamental right that says everyone is entitled to "freely profess, practise and propagate" religion.

He also asserted that the word "convert" has been deliberately avoided as part of the fundamental right to religious freedom.

Quoted a secular news Mr Thomas saying, “We must remember that the word ‘propagate’ was added by the Constituent Assembly after much deliberation.”

“Some persons opposed it on the grounds that no secular Republic should allow it,” he added.

Explaining the right attitude one must have, the former judge questioned, “What is the extent of our right to propagate? Does it include the right to propagate that your religion is faulty and mine alone perfect?”

Previously, Mr. Thomas commenting on Kerala alleged that there were attempts to make churches `political bodies' and `commercialise' it disregarding the preaching of Jesus Christ to strive for unity and universal brotherhood by propagating the divine message of love.

He urged the churches to live according to the message of Jesus Christ.