NEW DELHI, April 8 -- 'Conversion' is a very hot and sensational word in India, and it is required much more than ever, maybe only in India. It is 'inflammable' like a truck carrying petrol or the touch-me-not that withers before it is touched.

The anti-conversion laws passed in some eight states, along with the anti-conversion narratives running around in the country, have made the issue profusely sensitive. Many punitive actions based on fake cases have created panic all around, as well. The 'freedom of religion' or anti-conversion laws passed are intended to restrict or reduce forceful or fraudulent religious conversions, which is definitely an anomaly. Force or fraud makes conversion invalid, so they do not go together.

A parallel f...