Anti Conversion Bill 2021, passed in the Karnataka State Assembly. It makes religious conversion a non-bailable offence with up to 10 years of jail time & a fine up to Rs 1 lakh if undertaken through misrepresentation, force, undue influence, coercion, allurement or marriage.
It was amidst heated discussions, debates and opinions on the proposed anti-conversion bill, the Karnataka government passed ‘The Protection of Right to Freedom of Religion Bill, 2021.’ It was presented by state Home Minister Araga Jnanendra in the state Assembly on Tuesday.
The BJP MP from Bengaluru-Central, P C Mohan took it to microblogging platform, Twitter to announce the passage of the bill by BJP government in English and Kannada respectively.
The law prohibits “unlawful conversions” from one religion to another by misrepresentation, force, undue influence, coercion, allurement, or by any fraudulent means. The law makes religious conversion a non-bailable offence that can invite 10 years of imprisonment for ‘forced’ and a penalty of Rs.1 lakh.
It must be noted that earlier in the recent past, Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, and Himachal Pradesh have enacted the anti-conversions laws with more or less provisions declaring forceful conversions, a cognizable offense.
The Karnataka assembly today witnessed a huge hue and cry between the ruling BJP and the Opposition Congress as the government took up the Anti-Conversion Bill for the consideration of the House. Siddaramaiah, the leader of opposition in Karnataka assembly, said that the BJP is misguiding the people by claiming that Hindus are decreasing in the state and the Christian and Muslim population is increasing year by year.
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