The Legislative Assembly of Karnataka passed the Protection of Right to Freedom of Religion Bill 2021, also known as the Anti-conversion bill on December 23 amidst heavy protests. The bill was called “anti-people”, “anti-human” “anti-poor” and “draconian” by Congress. It also insisted the government withdraw the Bill immediately and do not pass it under any condition.
Even though the Congress members were protesting steadily, the bill was passed by a voice vote in a rushed manner. The Opposition was adamant in demanding the completion of the debate on the matter that began yesterday morning.
The ‘Protection of Right to Freedom of Religion Bill 2021’ in Karnataka has given the protection of the right to freedom of religion. It has also prevented unlawful conversion from one religion to another by coercive forces, misinterpretation, allurement, undue influence, or any fraudulent means. The bill has proposed stringent measures including imprisonment of three to five years with the fine of Rs. 25,000. The violators with respect to women, minors, SC/STs will be imprisoned for three to ten years with a fine of not less than Rs. 50,000.
The Anti-Conversion Bill also proposes for the accused to pay a sum of Rs. 5 lakhs as compensation to those who were converted on the grounds described in the law and in the cases of mass conversion, the bill provides for three to ten years of imprisonment with an additional fine of Rs. one lakh.
The proposed bill also states that marriages that happened with the sole purpose of unlawful conversion or vice-versa by man or woman of one religion with a man or woman of another religion will be considered null and void by the family court. In case of the absence of a family court, the court has jurisdiction to try such a case with the petition of a party against the other party of marriage. This bill has also proposed to make the offense non-bailable and cognizable.
The bill states that people who wish to be converted to another faith have to mandatorily declare in a prescribed format at least 30 days in advance. And if a person has converted to another religion in a valid manner will lose his or her religion of origin and all the benefits including reservation along with it. He will henceforth receive only the facilities and benefits entitled to the religion he has converted to.
This was a courageous step for the BJP led government in the state. Stringent punishment and strict implementation of the law have to be done in order to restore and maintain peace in the state.