Anti-conversion Law

Karnataka Cabinet approved the 'Anti-Conversion Bill', on December 20. CM Basavaraj Bommai-led BJP government approved the bill, prohibiting conversion of religion (love jihad) by force. It will now be tabled in the ongoing Assembly, on December 21. So far, eight BJP rules states have passed the law such as Uttar Pradesh. ''Innocent people are being converted across the state. They're lured by money and financial assistance,'' said Bommai.… read-more

The Gujarat government is all set to amend the Gujarat Freedom of Religion Act, 2003 to impose stricter consequences against forced religious conversions through marriage. Reportedly, the amendment bill proposed in the state assembly on March 29 comes with a five-year jail term and Rs 2-lakh penalty on the forced religious conversion of women. Notably, the amendment is in line with the ‘Love Jihad’ laws passed by the MP and UP governments.… read-more

Granting police protection to an interfaith couple, the Allahabad High Court has affirmed that "nobody is entitled to interfere" in the peaceful life of two adults residing consensually. The court's observation, concerning the Muslim man and Hindu woman who converted to Islam, is noteworthy in the backdrop of the UP government's recently-passed 'love jihad' ordinance. The ordinance prescribes 10-year imprisonment and ₹ 25,000 forfeiture… read-more

The Supreme Court agreed to hear pleas questioning the constitutional validity of the 'Love Jihad' laws on January 6. The apex court stated that it would hear pleas and arrive at a resolution rather than staying the implementation of the laws at present. Reportedly, the plea was filed by advocate Vishal Thakre, an NGO Citizen for Justice and Peace, and others. Earlier, the laws were passed in three states including Uttar Pradesh.

Uttar Pradesh's Bijnor police have arrested a teenage Muslim boy and charged him against the controversial "love jihad" law. Arrested on December 15, the police accused the boy of attempting to convert a 16-year-old Hindu girl. While the girl's father has made a complaint, the girl and her mother have denied the conversion charges. Meanwhile, the police have stated that the girl was kidnapped by the boy and escaped somehow.