Karnataka Passes Anti-Conversion Bill In Assembly Despite Opposition From Congress

On Wednesday, Karnataka Home Minister Araga Jnanendra moved 'Karnataka Protection of Rights to Freedom of Religion Bill 2022' in the Assembly for its passage. 

Karnataka Assembly

Source : File photo

Chennai: Karnataka Assembly passed anti-conversion bill in the Assembly on Wednesday. The Bill was passed despite opposition from Congress. 

A tweet on PTI said, "Anti-conversion bill passed in Karnataka Legislative Assembly."

Anti-conversion bill passed in Karnataka Legislative Assembly

— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) September 21, 2022

On Wednesday, Karnataka Home Minister Araga Jnanendra moved 'Karnataka Protection of Rights to Freedom of Religion Bill 2022' in the Assembly for its passage. 

However, Congress Deputy Leader in the Assembly U T Khader stated that everyone is opposed to forced conversion and said, "the intention of this bill is not right, it is politically motivated, illegal and is unconstitutional. It will be challenged in the Courts and the Courts may give stay or strike it down."
 
Congress MLA Shivanand Patil said the bill provides for the blood relative of the person who has been converted to file a complaint and there are all chances of it being misused and may even lead to harassment.

Defending the bill, Minister Jananendra said there is no scope for misuse or confusion in the bill and it is in no way against religious freedom. Noting that the bill is as per the constitution, he said the anti-conversion bill was brought in after the Law Commission studied various such legislations.

What Anti-Conversion bill says?

The bill, opposed by a section of Christian community leaders among others, 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.

It proposes 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, the offenders will face imprisonment from three to ten 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 there shall be a 3 to 10 year 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, 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.

Wherever the family court is not established, the court having jurisdiction can try such a case, on a petition presented by either party thereto against the other party of the marriage.

The offence under this bill is non-bailable and cognisable.

The bill mandates that persons who wish to convert to another faith shall give a declaration in a prescribed format at least 30 days in advance to the District Magistrate or the Additional District Magistrate specially authorised by the District Magistrate in this regard of his residing district or place of birth within the state.

Meanwhile, the Bill was earlier passed by Legislative Council last week with minor amendments. 

In December last, the legislative assembly passed 'Karnataka Protection of Right to Freedom of Religion Bill'. However, the bill was pending in legislative council since BJP did not have a majority so the government promulgated an ordinance to provide effect to the Bill in May. Following this, the Bill was passed in Legislative council on September 15.

(With inputs from PTI)