Christian community takes out silent march in Shivamogga demanding withdrawal of anti-conversion law

The Christian community took out a silent march in Shivamogga on Thursday. | Photo credit: SK Dinesh

Members of the Christian community from Shivamogga, Davanagere and Chitradurga districts took out a silent march in Shivamogga on Thursday, urging the state government to repeal the Karnataka Protection of Right to Freedom of Religion Act, 2022, popularly known as the Anti-Conversion Act.

The march organized by the Shivamogga zone of the All Karnataka United Christian Forum for Human Rights started at 9.30 am from the Sacred Heart Cathedral and ended at the Deputy Commissioner’s office. The participants submitted a memorandum addressed to Chief Minister DK Shivakumar.

In a memorandum, the forum reminded Congress of its 2023 House election promise to repeal the law. Despite more than three years in office, the government has failed to deliver on the promise, leaving minority communities disappointed.

The forum said the law raises serious constitutional concerns because it threatens freedom of conscience, privacy and dignity. Even peaceful prayer meetings could attract accusations of illegal conversion. It said the provision allowing marriages to be declared void on the grounds of religious conversion interfered with the right of consenting adults to choose a life partner.

The forum acknowledged that the previous cabinet had decided to repeal the law in June 2023, but said the delay in completing the process had caused uncertainty in affected communities. It demanded that the government table an amendment to withdraw the controversial law.

The memorandum was signed by Simon Pinto, president of the forum and others.

Published – 12 Nov 2026 20:21 IST