Updated: November 28, 2020 1:30:17 pm
Uttar Pradesh Governor Anandiben Patel passed an ordinance against forced or “dishonest” religious conversions on Saturday. (Express file photo Javed Raja)
Uttar Pradesh Governor Anandiben Patel on Saturday gave his consent to an ordinance enacted by the state government against forced or “dishonest” religious conversions.
Uttar Pradesh’s Illegal Conversion of Religion Prohibition Ordinance, 2020, takes effect immediately across the state. The law prohibits conversion from one religion to another by “misrepresentation, force, fraud, undue influence, coercion, seduction or marriage.”
The Uttar Pradesh cabinet had clarified the ordinance earlier this week to check on “illegal religious conversions” and “interreligious marriages with the sole intention of changing a girl’s religion.”
Under the law, a marriage will be declared “shunya” (null and void) if the “only intention” was “to change a girl’s religion”.
Editorial | Back off: UP government ordinance on interfaith marriage is a violation of fundamental freedoms
“Those who obtain the conversion in violation of the provisions of the proposed law would face a jail term of up to 10 years,” the government said in a statement. If it is determined that the conversion is carried out “by force, through atrocities or cheating,” the crime will not be subject to bail.
The BJP-ruled states of Haryana and Madhya Pradesh have also tried to enact a law to verify what they call “love jihad.” Last week, at least five opposition-ruled states condemned the move as a usurpation of personal freedom and an attempt to create a communal division in the country.
Explained | Uttar Pradesh’s ‘love jihad’ law and why it could be vigorously implemented
© IE Online Media Services Pvt Ltd
.
