A Law Must Protect Freedom of Faith, Not Create FearBy Johnson D’SilvaThe Goa Government’s proposed move to introduce an Anti-Conversion Bill during the forthcoming Assembly session calls for serious public discussion. Legislation of such significance cannot be justified merely on the ground that similar laws exist in other States. Every law must address a genuine problem, be supported by credible evidence and serve a clearly established public interest.

Before proceeding with such a Bill, the Goa Government must place before the public credible data and documented instances of forced, fraudulent or coercive religious conversions in the State. If there is no demonstrated pattern of such activity in Goa, the fundamental question arises: why does Goa need a separate anti-conversion law?

Goa has for generations been known for religious coexistence and communal harmony. Hindus, Christians, Muslims and followers of other faiths have lived alongside one another, sharing cultural traditions and maintaining mutual respect. This social fabric is one of Goa’s strengths and should not be disturbed without compelling reason.

Freedom of Faith is a Constitutional Right

Religion is an intensely personal matter. In a democracy, every adult citizen must have the freedom to follow the religion of his or her choice, to change that religion voluntarily or to choose not to follow any religion at all.

The Constitution guarantees freedom of conscience and the right to freely profess, practise and propagate religion, subject to constitutional limitations. There can be no justification for forcing, threatening, deceiving or coercing anyone into changing religion. Whenever such offences occur, the law must act firmly against those responsible.

But a clear distinction must be maintained between forced conversion and voluntary conversion between consenting adults. Preventing coercion cannot become a justification for interfering with an individual’s freedom of conscience.

A Transparent Process Could Be the Better Alternative

If the Government’s genuine concern is transparency regarding changes in religious identity, there are less intrusive ways of achieving that objective.

Just as citizens follow an established legal and administrative procedure when changing their names, the Government could consider a simple, transparent and secular statutory process for individuals who voluntarily change their religion.

Such a mechanism could provide for a voluntary declaration by the individual, verification of identity and age, confirmation that the decision has been made freely and appropriate safeguards against fraud, coercion or exploitation.

The purpose of any such process must be to protect individual liberty and ensure transparency—not to police a citizen’s faith.

Most importantly, there can be no discrimination between religions. Any legal safeguards must apply equally to everyone, irrespective of whether a person is converting to or from Hinduism, Christianity, Islam or any other religion.

Protection or a Potential Tool for Persecution?

There is also a concern among sections of Christians and other minorities across India that anti-conversion laws can potentially be misused to target minorities or create suspicion around legitimate religious activities. Such apprehensions cannot simply be brushed aside.

A law may appear neutral in its wording but can still be misused during implementation. The Goa Government therefore has a responsibility to demonstrate that any proposed legislation will not become an instrument to harass Christians, missionaries, religious workers or ordinary citizens legitimately exercising their constitutional freedoms.

Goa should not import political or communal tensions from elsewhere into a State that has historically maintained a strong tradition of communal harmony.

Reginaldo Lourenco Deserves Appreciation

Curtorim MLA Reginaldo Lourenco deserves appreciation for speaking against the proposed Anti-Conversion Bill and questioning whether Goa actually requires such legislation.

Elected representatives must not examine important legislation merely through the prism of party politics. They have a duty to consider the interests of the people and uphold the constitutional principles that bind the country together.

Every Goa MLA, irrespective of political affiliation, should therefore carefully examine the proposed legislation and ask some fundamental questions before supporting it: Where is the evidence of widespread forced conversions in Goa? What specific problem is this Bill intended to solve? What safeguards will prevent misuse? And will the legislation genuinely prevent coercion, or will it create fear and insecurity among minorities?

Goa Has More Urgent Legislative Priorities

The Government must also consider whether an Anti-Conversion Bill should be a priority when Goa faces several serious challenges requiring urgent legislative and administrative attention.

Land grabbing, illegal constructions, corruption, environmental destruction, narcotics, unemployment, traffic problems, inadequate public transport and threats to Goa’s fragile identity and environment demand sustained government attention.

Legislation carrying the potential to generate communal suspicion should not become a political priority unless the Government can establish through convincing evidence that a serious problem actually exists.

Goa does not need laws that divide its people. Goa needs laws that protect its people.

Religious freedom does not belong exclusively to any one community. It belongs equally to every citizen.

If a Hindu voluntarily chooses Christianity, Islam or another faith, that decision must be respected. If a Christian voluntarily chooses Hinduism, Islam or another faith, that choice must receive exactly the same protection. The same principle must apply to Muslims and followers of every other religion.

The State’s responsibility is clear: prevent force, fraud and coercion, but do not dictate faith.

The Goa Government should therefore reconsider the proposed Anti-Conversion Bill and, before proceeding, publish the evidence on which the legislation is being proposed. It should hold meaningful consultations with civil society, constitutional experts, religious leaders and ordinary citizens.

Goa’s MLAs must stand for constitutional freedom, against coercion and discrimination, and in defence of the State’s long-standing tradition of communal harmony.

Goa should not be allowed to become another battleground for religious politics.

Let Goa continue to remain a place where citizens are free to worship, believe, question, change their faith—or choose to have no faith at all—without fear or interference.

By Johnson D’Silva
Senior Citizen & Anti-Corruption Activist