Preaching Islam Is Not a Crime: Karnataka High Court Cancels FIR Against Three Muslim Youths
Bengaluru, 25 July – (www.deccanlive.com): The Karnataka High Court has quashed an FIR filed against three Muslim youths accused of distributing pamphlets promoting Islamic teachings and verbally explaining their religious beliefs inside a Hindu temple.
In its ruling, the court stated that distributing pamphlets and explaining Islamic teachings in a temple does not constitute a crime unless there is evidence of an attempt to convert someone.
According to Hindustan Live, the youths were charged under Sections 299, 351(2), and 3(5) of the Indian Penal Code, 2023, and Section 5 of the Karnataka Protection of Right to Freedom of Religion Act, 2022.
During the hearing, Justice Venkatesh Naik T clarified that the accused had not committed any offense under the said law, as there was no attempt to force anyone to accept Islam or change their religion.
As per LiveLaw, the complainant alleged that on May 4, 2025, at around 4:30 PM, when he visited the Ram Teerth temple in Jamkhandi, he found a group distributing pamphlets about Islamic teachings and verbally explaining their beliefs inside the temple premises. The complaint further alleged that when questioned by Hindu devotees, the accused reportedly made derogatory remarks about the Hindu religion and even promised cars and jobs in Dubai in exchange for converting to Islam.
However, the petitioners argued that they were only preaching the teachings of Allah and Prophet Muhammad and did not force anyone to convert.
