Lucknow: Uttar Pradesh Governor Anandiben Patel on Saturday promulgated the Uttar Pradesh Prohibition of Unlawful Conversion of Religion Ordinance 2020.
This comes after Yogi Adityanath Cabinet on November 24 cleared the Ordinance, proposing a maximum punishment of 10 years for "love jihad" related offences.
On Tuesday, Uttar Pradesh Cabinet Minister Siddharth Nath Singh had informed about the state cabinet's decision to introduce an ordinance against unlawful religious conversions.
"There were more than 100 incidents reported in which forceful religious conversion was being done. Also, it was reported religious conversions were going on in the state using deceitful means. So to make a law on this becomes an important matter of policy now," Siddharth Nath Singh told ANI.
The new law mandates for a jail term of the accused between one to five years, with Rs 15,000 penalty, if convicted for carrying out forceful conversions for marriage.
"For conversions of minors and women of SC/ST community, there will be a jail term of 3-10 years with Rs 25,000 penalty," Singh said.
Besides Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Haryana, and Karnataka are mulling laws against love jihad.
Madhya Pradesh Home Minister Narottam Mishra earlier this months had said that the state government is planning to bring a law to curb the practice of 'love jihad'.
"Love jihad" is a term used by right-wing activists to refer to the alleged campaign of Muslims forcing Hindu girls to convert in the guise of love.
(With agency inputs)
