Rev. Stainislaus case
Also called: Rev. Stainislaus v. State of Madhya Pradesh (1977) · Topic: Fundamental Rights and Constitutional Remedies · NCERT: Beyond NCERT
Meaning
Rev. Stainislaus v. State of Madhya Pradesh (1977) was a Supreme Court judgment on the meaning of "propagate" in Article 25. The Court held that the right to propagate religion means spreading one's beliefs. It does not include a right to convert another person. The Court upheld the Odisha (1967) and Madhya Pradesh (1968) laws against conversion by force, fraud or inducement (bribes or other rewards).
Example
Under these laws, a person cannot convert someone by offering money or by threats and then claim protection under Article 25. Many newer state anti-conversion laws rely on this judgment.
Don't confuse with
- Freedom of conscience: this is the right to choose one's own belief. A person may still change their own religion freely. What Stainislaus denies is a right to convert others.
Related concepts
- Freedom of religion
- Freedom of conscience
- Right to propagate religion
- Anti-conversion laws
- State regulation of religious practice
- Freedom to manage religious affairs
- Religious denomination
- Freedom from taxes for promotion of religion
- Freedom as to religious instruction
- Cultural and educational rights