Ahmedabad: The Gujarat government has recently issued a circular stating that Buddhism is now recognized as a separate religion under the Gujarat Freedom of Religion Act, 2003. As a result, individuals who wish to convert from Hinduism to Buddhism, Jainism, or Sikhism will now be required to obtain prior approval from the respective district magistrates. This directive, which was released by the state home department on April 8, aims to address concerns related to the handling of conversion applications.
The circular also highlights discrepancies in the interpretation of the Gujarat Freedom of Religion Act by district magistrate offices. It emphasizes the importance of following the prescribed procedures for conversion applications and acknowledges the existence of cases where applicants and autonomous bodies have contested the requirement for prior permission for conversions from Hinduism to Buddhism.
The circular issued highlights the importance of a comprehensive understanding of the legal provisions surrounding religious conversions to avoid potential legal challenges. It specifically emphasizes the need for district magistrates to thoroughly examine the legal framework when evaluating conversion applications.
According to the notification, there have been instances where the prescribed procedure for applications seeking permission for Hinduism to Buddhism conversions has not been followed. Feedback from applicants and autonomous bodies has also suggested that prior permission is unnecessary for such religious conversions.
To address this issue, the circular emphasizes the separate status of Buddhism under the Act and mandates that those facilitating conversions must obtain prior permission from the district magistrate. Additionally, individuals undergoing conversion are required to inform the district magistrate accordingly.
District magistrates are instructed to meticulously review conversion applications in accordance with legal provisions and state government directives. This measure aims to streamline the process and ensure consistency in the handling of religious conversion applications across Gujarat.