Gujarat govt implements strict law to mitigate forced religious conversion

Gandhinagar, June 16: In a major development, the Gujarat government implemented the Gujarat Freedom of Religion (Amendment) Bill 2021 from June 15 in order to mitigate forced religious conversion in the state. The act was passed in the state assembly on June 1 during the recently concluded budget session and was approved by Governor Acharya Devavrat in May.

 

 

Following the footsteps of Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh, this development came amid the rising number of Love Jihad cases that are taking place in various parts of the country. The Minister of State for Home Pradipsinh Jadeja had introduced the Freedom of Religion Reform Bill 2021 in the Gujarat Legislative Assembly two months ago.

 

 

According to the law passed by the Gujarat government, if anybody is found guilty of forced conversion, they will be punished with four to seven years of imprisonment. The law also has a provision of strict punishment to those who are found complicit in the conversion through marriage.

 

 

The Gujarat government has mentioned a penalty of up to 5 years and a fine of up to Rs 2 lakh for those who would violate this law, while there would be a sentence of 7 years and a fine of Rs 3 lakh for the crime if a minor is involved. In addition to this, provision has been made for 7 years for offenses against women belonging to Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes.

 

 

As per the provisions of the law, marriage just for the sake of conversion or conversion just for the sake of marriage will be deemed illegal by the Family Court or the Court. The law prohibits people directly or otherwise to coerce or deceive one to get married or help in getting married for the sake of conversion.

 

 

Additionally, the burden of proof to prove one’s guilt will be on the accused, accuser, and those who have abetted in the purported crime. The law also holds everyone—who commits the crime, abets in committing the crime, advises in committing a crime—equally guilty of committing the crime. Those who are found to be guilty of breaching these provisions will be sentenced to jail for 3 to 5 years and a fine of at least Rs 2 lakhs. In the case of women belonging to Scheduled Caste, Scheduled Tribe, there is a provision of 4 to 7 years of jail and a fine of Rs 3 lakhs.

 

 

Furthermore, the organisations who do not abide by these provisions will have their registrations cancelled and those found guilty will be sentenced to 3 to 10 years of imprisonment and asked to pay a fine of Rs 5 lakhs. Such organisations will also be stripped of any state grants or financial aid since the day of filing the charge sheet. The provisions of the Bill make Jihad a non-bailable and cognisable offence and will not be probed by officers below the rank of Superintendent of Police.