Different laws are applicable in all the states of the country regarding religious conversion. In Uttar Pradesh, the Yogi government has introduced a bill to amend the existing law against forced religious conversion. But now the question is what is there in this bill that is being discussed all over the country. Apart from this, today we will tell you what is the law regarding religious conversion in the rest of the states of the country.
Law on religious conversion
Let us tell you that in the amendment bill in Uttar Pradesh, the punishment period for crimes related to religious conversion has been increased. It provides for life imprisonment and a fine of up to one lakh rupees. At the same time, strict provisions have also been made to curb funding for religious conversion from abroad.
The bill introduced by the Yogi government of Uttar Pradesh has been named Uttar Pradesh Prohibition of Unlawful Conversion of Religion (Amendment) Bill. There is a provision of life imprisonment for converting a minor SC-ST. After passing this bill from the Legislative Assembly, it will be sent to the Legislative Council. After passing from the Upper House, it will go to the Governor, then it will be sent to the President.
These states also have laws on religious conversion
According to the information, by August 2023, anti-forced conversion laws have been implemented in 10 states across the country. Along with Uttar Pradesh, these laws are in Uttarakhand, Madhya Pradesh, Karnataka, Haryana, Gujarat, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, Himachal Pradesh and Odisha. Let us tell you that in August last year, Maharashtra had announced to bring a law against forced conversion.
What are the new changes in the law in UP?
The government says that cases of marriage by misleading and forced conversion of Scheduled Castes and Tribes (SC-ST) are increasing continuously. The state government is going to change the rules to curb these cases. This bill has a provision to increase the period of punishment in crimes related to forced religious conversion. It provides for life imprisonment and a fine of up to one lakh rupees. Apart from this, if a person forcibly converts a minor, disabled or mentally challenged person, woman, SC-ST, then the culprit can be punished with life imprisonment and a fine of one lakh rupees. Similarly, forced religious conversion in a group will also be punished with life imprisonment and a fine of one lakh rupees.
Foreign funding
There is a provision of 14 years of imprisonment and a fine of Rs 10 lakh for those who take funding from abroad for religious conversion. If someone puts a person’s life or property in fear, attacks or uses force, makes a false promise of marriage, traffics a minor, woman or person by luring them for religious conversion, then he will be sentenced to a minimum of 20 years. At the same time, this punishment can be extended for life. Apart from this, a fine will also have to be paid for the treatment and rehabilitation of the victim.
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