Karnataka Anti-Conversion Bill: Converts May Lose Benefits & Quota

For the converts, same benefits and quota may not apply and most of them will be repealed once the law comes into force. 

Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai

Chennai: The people who are converting to Christianity or Islam after anti-conversion law comes into force in Karnataka, the converts especially from BC and SC communities will likely lose government benefits and reservations in job and education in the state.

According to a report on Times of India, the Hindu people from BC and SC communities are eligible for reservation even after they convert to other religions. However, the same benefits and quota may not apply and most of them will be repealed once the law comes into force. 

The Law Minister JC Madhuswamy said, the legislation will address religious conversion but for now they do not specify the punishments so the government will look into all these while scrutinizing the Bill. 

On Monday, Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai said that the bill will be tabled once the law department finishes the scrutiny of the bill. Further, the cabinet will also provide a nod for the Bill.

The new bill against religious conversions is drafted based on the Unlawful Religious Conversion Act proposed by Uttar Pradesh last year. The report also said that the bill proposes to provide 10 years of imprisonment if attempts are made to coerce the people for religious conversion.

The Minister for Rural Development KS Eshwarappa said that those wanting to convert to other religions must be ready to forgo their benefits received due to their previous religious identity too.