Anti-conversion bill tabled in K’taka

Belagavi, Dec. 21: The contentious anti-conversion bill was tabled in the Karnataka Legislative Assembly on Tuesday, amid stiff opposition from the Congress.

State Congress president D.K. Shivakumar even tore papers on his table, in protest against the introduction of the bill, which his party called "draconian and anti-constitution".

The "Karnataka Protection of Right to Freedom of Religion Bill, 2021", introduced in the assembly by Home Minister Araga Jnanendra, provides for protection of right to freedom of religion and prohibition of unlawful conversion from one religion to another by misrepresentation, force, undue influence, coercion, allurement or by any fraudulent means.

The bill proposes for an imprisonment from three to five years with a fine of `25,000, while for violation of provisions with respect to minors, women, SC/ST, offenders will face imprisonment

from three to ten years and a fine of not less than `50,000.

The proposed bill is also said to have made a provision for the accused to pay up to `5 lakh as compensation to those who were made to convert. With regard to cases of mass conversion, the bill proposes 3-10 years jail term and a fine of up to Rs one 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 religion, 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 or where the family court is not established, the court having jurisdiction to try such case, on a petition presented by either party thereto against the other party of the marriage.

The offense under this bill is non-bailable and cognizable.