BENGALURU: The Prohibition of Forced Religious Conversion Act (Karnataka Protection of Religious Freedom Bill 2021) came into effect in Karnataka after Governor Savarchand Gehlot signed it.
The bill was passed by the Legislative Assembly in December last year but could not get approval from the Legislative Council.
After the BJP won the majority in the council, the assembly re-passed the law last week and sent it to the governor.
The governor signed the bill yesterday. This law provides imprisonment for up to 10 years and a fine of up to one lakh rupees for those who forcibly convert.
When the bill came up for discussion, opposition parties including Congress raised objections. After strong arguments, Congress went on a walkout.
Then the bill was passed and sent to the governor for consideration. The law has been passed with retrospective effect from May 17, 2022, when the ordinance was promulgated.
The provisions of the law are such that any change of religion is within the ambit of the law, and religious organizations have alleged that the new law is fueling the spread of religious intolerance and discrimination in the state after Basavaraj Balai became the chief minister.
Religious organizations and Congress have announced that they will approach the High Court against the law.
Converting a person from one religion to another by means of misrepresentation, coercion, fraud, influence, coercion, enticement, marriage, the offer of money or other things is considered a crime.
Conversion marriages will be annulled and made a crime. A person who wishes to convert should apply to the District Deputy Commissioner two months in advance.
Those who attempt to convert SC, ST or minors or women to other religions shall be punished with imprisonment of three to ten years and a fine of not less than half a lakh.
Those belonging to the general category will be jailed for three to five years and fined Rs 25,000 if they change their religion. Mass conversion is punishable by imprisonment for three to ten years and up to one lakh rupees.