Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath-led Uttar Pradesh authorities had handed Prohibition of Unlawful Conversion of Religion Ordinance, generally known as the “Love Jihad Law,” in November 2020. The legislation was enacted after a collection of alleged instances of pressured conversions have been reported within the state of Uttar Pradesh.
Here are key particulars of “Love Jihad Law”:
– Objective: The legislation goals to ban illegal spiritual conversions by fraudulent means, together with conversions completed for the aim of marriage or by pressure, coercion, or undue affect.
– Definition of Unlawful Conversion: The legislation defines illegal conversion because the conversion from one faith to a different by misrepresentation, pressure, undue affect, coercion, allurement, or fraudulent means. It particularly targets conversions which can be completed solely for the aim of marriage.
– Permission Requirement: Under the legislation, any individual wishing to transform their faith for the aim of marriage should give a declaration to the District Magistrate at the very least 60 days upfront. The District Magistrate will then conduct an inquiry to make sure that the conversion is voluntary and never below any undue affect or coercion.
– Punishment and Penalties: Violation of the legislation can result in imprisonment of as much as 10 years and a tremendous of as much as INR 50,000. The punishment could also be extra extreme if the conversion includes a minor, a lady from a Scheduled Caste or Scheduled Tribe, or if it’s a mass conversion.
– Burden of Proof: The burden of proof lies on the individual accused of the illegal conversion. They should show that the conversion was not completed by pressure, coercion, or fraudulent means.
– Controversy and Criticism: The Love Jihad Law has been extremely controversial, with critics arguing that it infringes upon particular person rights, together with the liberty to decide on one’s accomplice and faith. There are considerations that the legislation could disproportionately goal interfaith relationships and perpetuate social divisions.
