“Anti-conversion Bill” passed by Karnataka Legislative Assembly, amidst din

Team Udayavani, Dec 23, 2021, 5:50 PM IST

Bengaluru: Amid the ruckus by the opposition, the Karnataka Protection of Right to Freedom of Religion Bill, 2021”, popularly known as the ”Anti-conversion Bill” has been passed by Karnataka Legislative Assembly.

The ”Karnataka Protection of Right to Freedom of Religion Bill, 2021”, 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 an imprisonment from three to five years with a fine of Rs 25,000, while for violation of provisions with respect to minors, women, SC/ST, offenders will face imprisonment from three to 10 years and a fine of not less than Rs 50,000.

The bill also makes provisions for the accused to pay up to Rs five lakh as compensation to those who were made to convert, and with regards 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.