Karnataka To Table Anti-Conversion Bill In Legislative Council Today

The much talked about Karnataka Protection of Right to Freedom of Religion Bill, 2021, popularly called anti-conversion bill, will be tabled in the legislative council today, as reported.

The government had the bill passed in the legislative assembly in December 2021, amidst severe opposition from the Congress, but it was not brought to the legislative council.

The BJP, which now has a majority in the council too, unlike last year, is all set to table it in the upper house.

The bill provides for the protection of right to freedom of religion and prohibits unlawful conversion from one religion to another by misrepresentation, force, undue influence, coercion, allurement or by any fraudulent means.

Further, the person who wishes to convert will lose the religion of his or her origin and facilities/benefits attached to it, including reservations. However, one is likely to receive the benefits entitled to, in the religion he or she converts to.

As per this bill, those who wish to convert to another faith will be required to give a declaration in a prescribed format at least 30 days in advance to the District Magistrate or the Additional District Magistrate specially authorised by the District Magistrate in this regard of his residing district or place of birth within the state.

It proposes imprisonment from three to five years with a fine of Rs 25,000, while for violation of provisions with respect to minors, women, SC/ST, the offenders will face imprisonment from three to ten years and a fine of not less than Rs 50,000.

The bill also makes provisions for the accused to pay up to Rs 5 lakh as compensation to those who were made to convert, and with regards to cases of mass conversion, there shall be a three to ten year jail term and a fine of up to Rs 1 lakh.

It also states that any marriage which has happened for the sole purpose of unlawful conversion or vice-versa by the man of one religion with the woman of another, either by converting himself before or after marriage or by converting the woman before or after marriage, shall be declared as null and void by the family court.

The offence under this bill is non-bailable and cognisable.

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