Law On Conversion In Uttar Pradesh Comes Into Force From Today, Gets A Nod Of Approval From Governor Anandiben Patel

Shikha Chaurasia

Lucknow, November 28 2020: The Prohibition of Unlawful Religious Conversion Ordinance 2020 has come into force in Uttar Pradesh from today. Governor Anandiben Patel has given her approval in favour of this ordinance on Saturday.

It was sent to the Governor for approval on Wednesday after the Yogi Adityanath Council of Ministers approved the proposal for conversion law on Tuesday. The draft of the Uttar Pradesh Law against Religious Conversion Ordinance was sent to the Raj Bhavan on Wednesday for approval from the Governor, which they have approved today i.e. Saturday. As soon as it received approval by the Governor, it has come into force as an ordinance in UP. With the approval of the Governor, this law has come into effect and now such a crime will be considered as a non-bailable offence.

According to the ordinance, if a girl’s marriage is done for the sole purpose of conversion from one religion to another, then such marriage can be brought to zero category (invalid). After the approval from the Governor, this ordinance will now be given a time frame of six months as it must pass in both houses of the legislature.

Along with this, those who convert can also face a jail term for ten years. In the case of non-bailable offence, the case will be tried in the Court of First Class Magistrate. If convicted, the guilty will face a minimum sentence of one year and a maximum of five years. Along with this, a minimum fine of Rs 15,000 will also have to be paid. In such cases, if the case is in relation to a minor woman, Scheduled Caste (SC) or Scheduled Tribe (ST) woman, the convict will have to face imprisonment from three years to ten years and a minimum fine of Rs 25,000.

The Yogi Adityanath government, along with Love Jihad passed this Ordinance in the Cabinet meeting due to the increase in forced conversions in the state. It has brought an ordinance to stop conversion by lying or bluffing or deceit. After its implementation, now the state government will deal strictly with those who do the conversion by false pretences, lying or deceit. Those who convert can also face a jail term of up to ten years.

According to the ordinance, for conversion from one religion to another, the parties concerned have to proclaim before the prescribed authority that this conversion is completely voluntary. The people concerned have to tell that there is no temptation or pressure of any kind on them. The ordinance contains provisions on all aspects of conversion. According to this, if the interested parties want to convert by their own will, then they will have to inform the District Magistrate two months in advance on the draft. Violation can lead to a sentence of six months to three years.

The minimum fine for this offence has been fixed at Rs 10,000. If anyone has faced religious conversion by lying or any other fraudulent means, it will be considered a cognizable offence. It will be non-bailable and will be tried in the First Class Magistrate’s Court. If convicted, the convict will face a minimum sentence of one year and a maximum of five years. Also, a fine of at least Rs 15,000 has to be paid. If the matter of conversion of religion is in relation to a minor woman, Scheduled Caste (SC) or Scheduled Tribe (ST) woman, the convict will have to face imprisonment from three years to 10 years and a minimum fine of 25,000.