UP Vidhan Sabha: Leave love jihad or be ready for Ram naam satya…these were the words of Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath. The head of the state is turning his warning into reality. On Monday, the UP Prohibition of Unlawful Conversion of Religion (Amendment) Bill was introduced in the Assembly, which was passed on Tuesday. The Yogi government had made 'love jihad' an election issue in the 2017 assembly elections. To stop this, the UP Prohibition of Unlawful Conversion of Religion Ordinance was passed in 2020. In 2021, it was duly given legal form by getting it passed from the legislature. Then under this law, the maximum punishment was 10 years and a fine of up to 50 thousand. The new bill proposes to increase both the scope of the crime and the punishment.The amended Act has made the law stricter than before in cases of fraudulent or forced conversion, providing for a maximum punishment of life imprisonment or a fine of Rs five lakh. The amended bill provides for maximum life imprisonment for those found guilty of converting a woman by deceit, marrying her illegally and harassing her. Earlier, it had a maximum punishment of 10 years.
Punishment for these crimes tooIt has been proposed that if a person threatens, attacks, marries or promises to marry someone with the intention of converting them, plots for it, or traffics a woman, minor or anyone, then his crime will be placed in the most serious category.
The amended Act provides for 20 years imprisonment or life imprisonment in such cases. When it became a law after being passed as a bill for the first time, a maximum punishment of 10 years and a fine of Rs 50,000 was provided under it.
Now anyone can file an FIRUnder the amended provision, it has been arranged that now any person can file an FIR in conversion cases. Earlier, the presence of the victim, his parents, siblings was necessary to give information or complaint about the case, but now the scope has been increased. Now anyone can give information about it in writing to the police.It has been proposed in the revised draft that such cases will not be heard below the Sessions Court and the bail plea will not be considered without giving a chance to the Public Prosecutor. Under the proposed draft, all the crimes in it have been made non-bailable.Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath had taken this initiative with the intention of curbing the alleged 'love jihad'. An ordinance was issued for this in November 2020 and later the Uttar Pradesh Prohibition of Unlawful Conversion of Religion Act-2021 got legal recognition after the bill was passed by both the houses of the Uttar Pradesh Legislature.
What is special about the bill?- For the first time, a proposal for punishment up to life imprisonment
- Life imprisonment for forced conversion and marriage
- Sentences doubled for already defined crimes
- New crimes also included which have provision for life imprisonment
Which crimes are emphasized in the bill?- Crackdown on funding for religious conversion will also be tightened
- Crackdown on funding from foreign or illegal organizations
- Attack on life or property with the intention of converting religion
- Punishment for conspiracy to use force or promise of marriage
- Along with life imprisonment, a fine will also have to be paid
- The court will decide the fine for the treatment and rehabilitation of the victim
Why is a new law needed?- Attention to the dignity of women
- Attention to the social status of women
- Preventing illegal conversion of SC-ST