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RESEARCH ARTICLE
TOPIC: HOW DOES THE ISSUE OF FORCED CONVERSION
VIOLATE THE FUNDAMENTAL RIGHTS ENSHRINED IN THE
CONSTITUTION 1973? ANALYZE IT.
SYED NAEEM HUSSAIN SHAH
|
, Page 1 of 4
How does the issue of forced conversion violate the fundamental
rights enshrined in the Constitution 1973? Analyze it.
Introduction:
Forced Conversion is the adoption of a different religion as a result of coercion or duress
and not a product of independent freewill of a person.
It is rightly said by George Carlin:
“Religion is like a pair of shoes, find one that fits for you, but don’t make me wear your shoes”.1
Freedom of Religion: No Implementation
Freedom to possess a particular belief/faith, to practice and profess a particular religion,
to have a protection and safeguard to religious places. All these are the most basic and
fundamental human rights enshrined in various constitutions around the world. Pakistan also
holds it dear to protect these rights in Article 20 of our Constitution of 1973. The trouble begins
from the fact that this Article is almost forgotten when it comes to promoting religious freedom
and preventing forceful conversions with zero implementation of its essence if mistakenly
remembered. Numerous cases of forced conversions are a staunch example of this extremely
unfortunate but true reality of Pakistani society.
Many Hindu girls living in Pakistan are kidnapped, forcibly converted and married to
Muslims, this has almost become a tradition in Pakistan to convert a non-muslim girl and marry
her off to a Muslim man. According to a report from the Movement for Solidarity and Peace,
about 1,000 non-Muslim girls are converted to Islam each year in Pakistan.2
1George Carlin. (n.d.). AZQuotes.com. Retrieved June 15, 2023, from AZQuotes.com Web site:
https://www.azquotes.com/quote/368517
2 “1,000 Christian, Hindu girls forced to convert to Islam every year in Pakistan: report”. India Today. April 8, 2014.
RESEARCH ARTICLE
TOPIC: HOW DOES THE ISSUE OF FORCED CONVERSION
VIOLATE THE FUNDAMENTAL RIGHTS ENSHRINED IN THE
CONSTITUTION 1973? ANALYZE IT.
SYED NAEEM HUSSAIN SHAH
|
, Page 1 of 4
How does the issue of forced conversion violate the fundamental
rights enshrined in the Constitution 1973? Analyze it.
Introduction:
Forced Conversion is the adoption of a different religion as a result of coercion or duress
and not a product of independent freewill of a person.
It is rightly said by George Carlin:
“Religion is like a pair of shoes, find one that fits for you, but don’t make me wear your shoes”.1
Freedom of Religion: No Implementation
Freedom to possess a particular belief/faith, to practice and profess a particular religion,
to have a protection and safeguard to religious places. All these are the most basic and
fundamental human rights enshrined in various constitutions around the world. Pakistan also
holds it dear to protect these rights in Article 20 of our Constitution of 1973. The trouble begins
from the fact that this Article is almost forgotten when it comes to promoting religious freedom
and preventing forceful conversions with zero implementation of its essence if mistakenly
remembered. Numerous cases of forced conversions are a staunch example of this extremely
unfortunate but true reality of Pakistani society.
Many Hindu girls living in Pakistan are kidnapped, forcibly converted and married to
Muslims, this has almost become a tradition in Pakistan to convert a non-muslim girl and marry
her off to a Muslim man. According to a report from the Movement for Solidarity and Peace,
about 1,000 non-Muslim girls are converted to Islam each year in Pakistan.2
1George Carlin. (n.d.). AZQuotes.com. Retrieved June 15, 2023, from AZQuotes.com Web site:
https://www.azquotes.com/quote/368517
2 “1,000 Christian, Hindu girls forced to convert to Islam every year in Pakistan: report”. India Today. April 8, 2014.
