Stringent anti-conversion Bill being given final touches

An anti-conversion bill proposed by the BJP government in Karnataka to prevent forced religious conversion of persons from Scheduled Caste, Scheduled Tribe communities, minors and women, to another religion has proposed a maximum punishment of 10 years of imprisonment. The Bill named the Karnataka Protection of Right to Freedom of Religion Bill 2021 has faced a strong opposition from the Congress.

The bill has a provision of a jail term of three year to five years, and a fine of Rs 25,000 for people violating the law in the case of people from general categories and a jail term of three to 10 years, and a fine of Rs 50,000 for people converting minors, women and persons from the SC and ST communities.

The ruling BJP wants to introduce the bill in the upcoming winter session of the Karnataka assembly and is holding a series of meetings to do away with any loopholes. The state government had held a series of meetings in the last few days to examine the validity of the proposed legislation. The government has also taken help of senior advocates over the terminologies used in the bill.