‘Religious conversions in India have long been a sensitive issue, sparking social, political, and legal debates. With its diverse religious landscape—including Hinduism, Islam, Christianity, and Sikhism—conversion is often seen as either a matter of personal freedom or a form of coercion.

Recently, the case of Pastor Bajinder Singh has intensified discussions. A former Sikh who converted to Christianity, Singh gained fame as an evangelical pastor known for faith healing and large gatherings. However, controversy followed him, and last week, he was sentenced to life imprisonment for repeated rapes.

While Article 25 of the Indian Constitution guarantees religious freedom, concerns persist over the tactics used by some Christian evangelists, particularly in rural and tribal areas. Critics argue that coercion, deception, and financial incentives play a role, fuelling social tensions and prompting legal action in several states.

Observing the assertive expansion of Christian missionary activities, Muslim organizations in India also intensified their efforts in Dawah (Islamic preaching). Traditionally, Islam in India grew through trade, migration, and Sufi influence, rather than organised proselytisation efforts.

However, in recent decades, Islamic organisations like Jamaat-e-Islami and Tablighi Jamaat have increased their Dawah outreach, targeting marginalised Hindu communities, particularly Dalits, with messages of social equality and societal uplift.

The bone of contention in the discourse on religious conversions lies in whether conversions are driven by genuine spiritual conviction or by socio-economic and political incentives. While an individual’s right to choose their faith is protected under Indian law, critics argue that many conversions are linked to material benefits, creating tensions among religious communities.

Contrary to popular belief, Indian Muslims come from diverse ancestral backgrounds, and not all are descendants of Hindu converts. The Muslim population in India is diverse, and their origins can be traced back to four distinct historical categories.

During the time of Prophet Mohammad, his companions travelled to the coastal regions of India, playing a key role in introducing Islam to the subcontinent.

In Gujarat, the companions built a mosque in Barwada, facing Jerusalem, as the Kaaba in Mecca had not yet become the qibla.

Later, Malik bin Dinar arrived in Kerala in the 7th century, where he is credited with establishing one of the first mosques in India, the Cheraman Juma Masjid. It is traditionally believed that the mosque was commissioned by the local Hindu King Raja Cheraman Perumal, who witnessed the Prophet Mohammed’s miracle of splitting the moon from the top of his palace. He later heard the same story from Arab traders, who spoke of the person who performed the miracle.

These early missions by the Prophet’s companions laid the foundations for Islam’s spread in India through trade, long before later military........

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