The Religious Freedom (Dharma Swatantrya) Bill 2020 passed by Madhya Pradesh cabinet.
Key sentence:
- The Dharma Swatantrya (Religious Freedom) Bill 2020 was authorized by the Madhya Pradesh cabinet on Saturday.
- Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan had named it Beti Bachao Abhiyan of his government.
- A lawsuit may be lodged by blood relatives of victims of this religious conversion.
The Dharma Swatantrya (Religious Freedom) Bill 2020 was authorized by the Madhya Pradesh cabinet on Saturday. With a view to religious conversions, the contentious declaration outlaws marriages.
State home minister Narottam Mishra stated:
“Forcing religious converting on somebody will attract 1-5 years of imprisonment as well as a minimum Rs 25,000 penalty under the new Bill,” stated Narottam Mishra, State Home Minister.
CM Shivraj Singh Chouhan about the bill:
Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan had named it Beti Bachao Abhiyan of his government, and save the daughter’s mission while batting for both the bill. “If the bill was passed, he also said, no one would be able to convert anyone from one faith to another through marriage or “any other dishonest means through seducing or threatening someone.
Everyone, all sects, and castes belong to the nation. There is no prejudice, but if anyone wants to do something disgusting with our daughters, I’m going to tear you down,’ added the chief minister.
Religions Conversion shall face imprisonment:
This approval arrives after the acceptance of Uttar Pradesh’s governor last month toward forcible or fraudulent spiritual conversions to UP Restriction of Unlawful Conversion of Religions Ordinance, 2020.
Section 3 of the bill states that anyone found guilty of religious conversion should face one to five years’ imprisonment as well as a fine of not be less than Rs 25,000. Attempting to conceal one’s religion will be punishable by three through 10 years imprisonment, including a fine of a minimum of Rs 50,000.
Scheduled Tribe or Scheduled Caste groups are coerced into conversion:
The convict will be incarcerated for two to 10 years as well as fined the amount of Rs 50,000 if a child or a woman from of the Scheduled Tribe as well as Scheduled Caste groups is coerced into conversion.
A lawsuit may be lodged by blood relatives of victims of this religious conversion, the bill thus states.
The clause is being made for five to 10 years imprisonment as well as a fine of at least Rs 100,000 for attempted mass religious practice (of two or more persons).
