SC Stays Criminal Proceedings Against Pastor for Saying 'Christianity is the Only True Religion'

Safeguarding the Right to Propagate Religion

The Supreme Court of India intervened to protect the constitutional rights of a religious preacher, granting a stay on criminal proceedings initiated by the Uttar Pradesh Police. The pastor had been booked under public order and hate speech laws merely for delivering a sermon where he asserted that Christianity is the 'only true religion'.

The Apex Court observed that theological claims regarding the exclusivity or truth of one's own faith are inherent to the right to profess and propagate religion under Article 25 of the Constitution. As long as such statements do not incite violence or deliberately outrage the religious feelings of others with malicious intent, they cannot be criminalized.