HC: Interfaith Marriages Not Barred by UP Conversion Law | 24 Feb 2026

Why in News?

The Allahabad High Court clarified that the Uttar Pradesh Prohibition of Unlawful Conversion of Religion Act does not prohibit interfaith marriages or prevent couples from living together in a live-in relationship.

Key Points:

• Court Ruling: The High Court held that interfaith marriage and live-in relationships between consenting adults are not barred by the anti-conversion law. 
  • It emphasised that the law only applies when there is actual conversion conducted through force, fraud, coercion, allurement or similar means.
• Fundamental Rights Upheld: The Bench relied on Articles 14 (right to equality), 15 (prohibition of discrimination) and 21 (right to life and personal liberty) of the Constitution of India to affirm that adults have the right to choose their partner regardless of religion.
• Conversion Requirement: The Court clarified that for the anti-conversion law to apply, there must be evidence of conversion of religion — simply marrying or living with someone of a different faith does not amount to conversion.
• Background: The judgment arose from a batch of 12 petitions filed by interfaith couples seeking protection amid social and familial opposition. 
  • The court noted that no complainant in the cases alleged any forced or fraudulent religious conversion.
  • The High Court has earlier granted protection to interfaith couples, consistently holding that adult choice in marriage cannot be interfered with by family members or the state without legal basis.
• Impact: The clarification prevents the misuse of anti-conversion provisions to harass interfaith couples and ensures that the law is applied strictly in cases involving coercive or fraudulent conversion.
• Significance: The ruling clarifies that interfaith marriages and live-in relationships between consenting adults do not fall foul of the Uttar Pradesh anti-conversion law, upholding constitutional protections and narrowing the legal interpretation of the statute.