The Supreme Court of India on 16 July sought a formal response from the Uttar Pradesh government to a petition challenging key provisions of the state’s amended law on unlawful religious conversion, popularly described as the “anti-conversion” or “love jihad” statute. Filed by Lucknow-based academic and social activist Roop Rekha Verma, the plea argues that the 2024 amendments to the Uttar Pradesh Prohibition of Unlawful Conversion of Religion Act are vague, overly broad and chill constitutionally protected free speech and the right to freely practise and propagate religion. The petitioners claim the law is being misused to harass consenting inter-faith couples and should be placed on hold while the court reviews its validity. A bench comprising Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta issued notice to the state, tagging the matter with similar challenges already pending before the court. While declining to stay the legislation at this stage, the justices directed Uttar Pradesh to file its written reply ahead of the next hearing.