The law provides for a prison term of up to 10 years and a fine of ₹ 1 lakh for conversion through marriage or by any other fraudulent means.
Madhya Pradesh’s Freedom of Religion Bill of 2020, which provides for a prison term of up to 10 years and a fine of ₹ 1 lakh for conversion by “marriage or any other fraudulent means” obtained approval from the State Cabinet on Saturday, Interior Minister Narottam Mishra said.
The bill, in some ways, is similar to the 2020 Illegal Conversion of Religion Prohibition Ordinance, notified by the BJP government in Uttar Pradesh last month, which also provides for a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison for ” fraudulent conversions “. even for the sake of marriage.
Also read: jail sentence, fine for ‘illegal’ conversions in Uttar Pradesh
Mr. Mishra said that once enacted, the law in Madhya Pradesh would be the strictest in the country.
The offenses under the proposed law would be recognizable and not bailable. The bill, which seeks to replace the 1968 Religious Freedom Act, will go before the Assembly, he said.
“The new legislation will prohibit religious conversion or such efforts through misrepresentation, temptation, force, undue influence, coercion, marriage, or any other fraudulent means. Deception and conspiracy for religious conversion will also be prohibited, ”he said.
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Any marriage solemnized in violation of the proposed law will be considered null and void.
Those willing to convert must submit a request to the district administration 60 days in advance. Religious leaders who facilitate conversion must also report 60 days in advance. Violation of these provisions would carry a prison sentence of three to five years and a fine of Rs 50,000.
Mass conversions
In cases of religious conversion of members of listed castes, listed tribes and minors, a prison sentence of two to 10 years and a fine of Rs 50,000 have been provided, he said.
A prison term of three to ten years and a fine of Rs 50,000 are envisaged in cases of marriage concluded by concealment of religion, falsehood or identity theft.
In case of mass conversions (of two or more people), a provision of five to ten years in prison and a minimum fine of ₹ 1 lakh has been imposed, Mishra said.
Repeat offenders would face five to 10 years in prison, he said, adding that any organization involved in such a violation would be unregistered.
Religious conversion in violation of this law would be considered null and void, he said.
The parents, legal guardian or guardian, and brothers and sisters of the converted person can file a complaint.
The infractions would be investigated by an officer not lower than the rank of deputy inspector, and it would be the responsibility of the accused to prove his innocence, the minister said.
A child born to the female victim will be entitled to maintenance under the proposed law. These children would also have the right to inherit the father’s property, Mishra said.
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