Act against 'forced conversion' comes into force in HP over a year after being passed by Assembly

A more stringent law against conversion by force, inducement or through marris solemnised for “sole purpose” of adopting a new religion, with a provision of up to seven years in jail for violators, has come into force in BJP-ruled Himachal Pradesh, over a year after it was passed by state assembly.

Himachal Pradesh Freedom of Religion Act, 2019 was tified by state home department on Friday. It replaces a 2006 law that has been repealed by assembly. development comes in backdrop of Uttar Pradesh government tifying an ordinance last month against forcible or fraudulent religious conversion that provides for imprisonment of up to 10 years and a maximum fine of Rs 50,000 under different categories. Several or BJP-ruled states are mulling such laws which party leaders say are aimed at fighting 'love jihad', a term used by m for alleged tricking of Hindu women into converting to Islam for marri.

bill was passed in Himachal Pradesh Assembly on August 30 last year and had received goverr's assent. However, it took over 15 months for home department to issue tification for its implementation. re is a provision of stringent punishment of up to seven years in jail in Act as compared to three years under old Himachal Pradesh Freedom of Religion Act, 2006, which was on similar lines. Act prohibits conversion by misrepresentation, force, undue influence, coercion, inducement, marri or any fraudulent means. Any marri for sole purpose of conversion will also be declared null and void under Section 5 of Act.

Asked about delay in tifying law, Law Minister Suresh Bhardwaj told PTI that home department had to lay down rules for proper procedure to be adopted for implementing Act, so delay in issuance of tification could be because of that. home department is being additionally looked after by Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur. When contacted, Additional Chief Secretary (Home) Maj Kumar said he was on leave for about a month and in-charge officer will be able to answer query.

As per Act, anyone seeking to convert will need to give a month's tice to district magistrate, stating that person is converting on his/her own. provision figured in 2006 law as well and was challenged in court. priest who performs a conversion ceremony will also give a month's tice in advance. Those reconverting to ir “parent religion” are exempted from this provision.

According to new Act, if Dalits, women or mirs were made to convert, jail term will be between two-seven years. Section 10 of Act states that person or organisation violating provisions will be allowed to accept any donation or contribution of any kind from within or outside country. Opposition had supported Himachal Pradesh Freedom of Religion Bill, 2019,  in state Assembly and legislation was passed unanimously with a voice vote.

Explaining objective and reason behind legislation, government had said in Assembly that it was being introduced as society had undergone many changes since enactment of previous bill due to which stringent and effective legislation was required to check forced religious conversions, which are "on rise" in state. PTI DJI RT