Stritct ‘Love Jihad’ Bill Passed, Misleading Partner Into Converting Could Land You In Prison For A Lifetime

The UP Prohibition of Unlawful Conversion of Religion (Amendment) Bill 2024, commonly referred to as the anti-love jihad law, was introduced in the House on Monday and passed in the Uttar Pradesh Assembly on Tuesday during the Monsoon Session Proceedings. The amendment strengthens the penalties for offenders, with the maximum punishment now being life imprisonment.

Key Provisions of the Amendment:

Under the new provisions, any person who threatens, attacks, marries, promises to marry, conspires to marry, or traffics a woman, minor, or anyone with the intent to convert their religion will face severe consequences. The amended bill imposes a sentence of up to 20 years or life imprisonment for such crimes.

Previously, the maximum punishment was 10 years in prison and a fine of Rs 50,000.

The amendment also expands the scope for filing FIRs in conversion cases. Now, anyone can report such incidents to the police in writing, whereas earlier, only the victim or their immediate family members could do so.

Additionally, these cases will only be heard by sessions courts, and bail applications will not be considered without input from the public prosecutor. All offenses under this law are now non-bailable.

An ordinance for this amendment was issued in November 2020, and after passing both houses of the Uttar Pradesh Legislature, the Uttar Pradesh Prohibition of Unlawful Conversion of Religion Act-2021 was enacted.

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Suresh Khanna introduced the bill in the House on Monday.

However, the Opposition has criticized the Uttar Pradesh government for the bill, accusing it of using communal politics to distract the public.

Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav commented on the bill outside Parliament, stating, “What else do they have, they are not doing anything new. They are trying to divert the attention of the people through communal politics.”

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