Imprisonment up to 10 years, fine up to ₹ 1 lakh: Conversion for marriage is not valid in MP
Swara the Voice:Preparations were being made to enact a law against forced conversions in Madhya Pradesh, the outline of which has been almost completed. Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chauhan discussed Madhya Pradesh’s new ‘Freedom of Religion Act, 2020’ on Saturday (December 5, 2020). Forcible conversion by marriage or any other means, the accused in the state will have to face a jail term of up to 10 years and a fine of up to Rs 1 lakh.
Also, if marriage is being done only for the purpose of conversion, then it will not be considered valid. According to the new act, if anyone has to convert, then one has to give notice the District Magistrate for this only before one month. Public Relations Department officials attended the meeting of CM Chauhan. By marriage or by any other means, by forcible or inducement – no one will be allowed to convert anyone else in these ways.
By confusing, tempting, threatening and marrying – conversion through these four means will be illegal and will be punished. If a minor, woman or people belonging to SC / ST (Dalit) community are converted in these ways then the accused will get maximum punishment. Also, 10 years of imprisonment will be punished even after mass conversion by these means. The accused’s parents or other ‘blood relatives’ can file a case. Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chauhan said:
Also, these cases will be investigated by sub-inspectors (sub-inspectors) or by police officers above the rank of sub-inspectors . The offense shall be cognizable, non-bailable and to be trialed by the Sessions Court. The accused will bear the burden of proving that conversion has not been done. For such an attempt to hide their religion, they will be imprisoned from 03 to 10 years and fined at least 50 thousand rupees.
Earlier, CM Shivraj had given a big statement on ‘Grooming Jihad (Love Jihad)’ and said that the government belongs to all religions and castes. CM had said, “There is no discrimination in our state, but if someone tries to do anything disgusting with our daughters, I will not leave them. If someone makes a religious change or does something like ‘Love Jihad’, they will also get punished. “
