Uttar Pradesh Introduces Harsher ‘Love Jihad’ Law with Life Imprisonment PenaltyUttar Pradesh Introduces Harsher ‘Love Jihad’ Law with Life Imprisonment Penalty The BJP-led government in Uttar Pradesh has introduced the Unlawful Religious Conversion (Amendment) Bill in the state assembly. The bill significantly increases the punishment for “love jihad” offenses, with life imprisonment as the maximum penalty. Key Changes in the Amended Bill: * The definition of “love jihad” is expanded to include additional offenses, all of which can now result in life imprisonment. * Offenders involving minors or women from SC/ST communities will face 3-10 years in prison and a fine of Rs 25,000. * Persons intending to convert must inform the district magistrate two months in advance. Violations will result in imprisonment for 6 months to 3 years and a fine of at least Rs 10,000. * Bail applications will require input from the public prosecutor. * Punishments will be determined based on the severity of the offense, the social status of the women involved, and their community affiliation. Opposition Criticism: Samajwadi Party leader Fakhrul Hasan Chand criticized the bill, accusing the BJP of playing negative politics and neglecting pressing issues like unemployment and exam paper leaks. Implications: The amended bill, if passed, will further strengthen the government’s crackdown on interfaith relationships and conversions. Critics argue that it will lead to increased harassment and intimidation of interfaith couples and minority communities.
Lucknow, July 30: The BJP-led Yogi Adityanath government has introduced the Unlawful Religious Conversion (Amendment) Bill in the Uttar Pradesh Assembly, which will impose life imprisonment for ‘love jihad’ offences in the state.
The bill significantly increases the penalty for previously defined crimes and broadens the definition of “love jihad” to include additional offenses, all of which can now result in life imprisonment. The amended bill is expected to be passed in the assembly on August 2 by a voice vote.
The current law provides for punishment ranging from one to ten years. Under this law, conversions carried out solely for the purpose of marriage are considered invalid, and conversions achieved by lying and cheating are considered criminal acts. Persons who want to convert voluntarily must inform a magistrate two months in advance. Forced or fraudulent conversions are currently punishable by imprisonment of 1-5 years and a fine of Rs 15,000.
The amended bill proposes stricter punishment, especially for offences involving minors and women from SC/ST communities. Offenders in such cases can face 3-10 years in jail and a fine of Rs 25,000.
Furthermore, the bill stipulates that persons intending to convert must inform the district magistrate two months in advance, with violations punishable by 6 months to 3 years in jail and a minimum fine of Rs 10,000. The bill also requires input from the public prosecutor before considering bail applications. Punishments will be determined based on the sensitivity of the offence, the social status of the women involved and whether they belong to a disadvantaged community.
Samajwadi Party leader Fakhrul Hasan Chand criticised the state government for amending the existing law on ‘love jihad’. Chand accused the BJP of playing negative politics and ignoring critical issues such as unemployment and leaking of examination papers.
“The BJP government, which has brought the love jihad ordinance, already has a law for it. If someone traps someone in his/her love trap with some motive, then there is a law for it, but the BJP only wants to play negative politics. It does not want to address unemployment and paper leaks,” Chand said in a video posted on X (formerly Twitter). “The Samajwadi Party understands that these are diversionary tactics. These will not do any good to the people,” he added.
Published: Tuesday, July 30, 2024, 06:19 PM IST
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