|
The Uttar Pradesh government has issued a gazette notification for enforcing the Uttar Pradesh Prohibition of Unlawful Conversion of Religion Act, 2021.
UP Governor Anandiben Patel had given assent to the bill on March 4.
The bill was passed by the UP assembly on February 24. The opposition had mounted a strong protest against the bill in the assembly. The law is aimed at curbing religious conversion by fraudulent or any other undue means, including through marriage.
The Uttar Pradesh Prohibition of Unlawful Conversion of Religion Ordinance, 2021 was promulgated in November last year. The law provides for imprisonment up to 10 years and a maximum fine of Rs 50,000 for violators. Under the law, a marriage will be declared "null and void" if the conversion is solely for that purpose, and those wishing to change their religion after marriage need to apply to the district magistrate.
The Act mainly envisages that no person shall convert, either directly or indirectly, from one religion to another by use or practice of misrepresentation, force, undue influence, coercion, allurement or by any fraudulent means or by marriage nor shall any person abet, convince or conspire such conversion.
The onus to prove that the conversion has not been done forcibly will lie on the person accused of the act and the convert.
Gazette notification on anti-conversion law issued by govt
Thursday, 25 March 2021 | PNS
| Lucknow
Gazette notification on anti-conversion law issued by govt
Thursday, 25 March 2021 | PNS | Lucknow
