878 people converted in Gujarat in 5 yrs: CM Anandiben Patel

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According to the Chief Minister’s reply, 1,838 people from different religions — 1735 from Hinduism, 57 from Islam, 42 from Christianity and four from Zoroastrian — had sought permission to convert their faith during the above mentioned period.

Out of them, 878 applications were granted permission.

No application for conversion was received from the people belonging to Sikhism and Buddhism during this period.

Most applications came from Saurashtra — 157 from Jamnagar, 162 from Junagadh, 325 from Porbandar 325 and 388 from Rajkot.

The maximum 515 applications for conversion had came from Surat tops the list with total 515 such applications.

The state government had introduced the Gujarat Freedom of Religion Act in 2003, but it came into force from April 2008. The controversial legislation makes it mandatory for a person who desires to convert to take prior permission of concerned district magistrate.

The Act stands challenged in the Gujarat High Court (HC) on the ground that it was in violation of the Fundamental Right of Freedom of Conscience and Freedom to Profess, Practice and Propagate Religion under Article 25 of the Constitution of India.