Would be better if UP govt reconsiders Love Jihad law: Mayawati states BSP's demand to BJP

After UP Goverr Anandiben Patel on Saturday gave assent to an ordinance against forcible or fraudulent religious conversions, which provides for imprisonment of up to 10 years and a fine of up to Rs 50,000 under different categories, BSP chief Mayawati has asked UP government to reconsider 'Love Jihad' law.  

Taking to Twitter, former Chief Minister said that government brought ordinance in "haste" and is "full of apprehension" whereas forcible and deceitful conversion anywhere in country has neir special recognition r acceptance. "Many laws are already in effect in this regard. government should reconsider this and that is  demand of BSP," she said in a tweet in Hindi.

She also said it would be better if Central government reconsiders three newly-enacted legislation, stating that farmers are agitating throughout country as se laws were made without ir consent. "Farmers are quite angry and agitating throughout country, expressing ir disagreement about recently enacted three laws related to agriculture by Central government. In view of this, if Union government reconsiders se laws, made without consent of farmers, it would be better," Mayawati tweeted in Hindi.

UP becomes first state to have a law against 'love jihad'

promulgation of Uttar Pradesh Prohibition of Unlawful Conversion of Religion Ordinance, 2020 came days after Yogi Adityanath government had approved a draft of ordinance which also curbs religious conversions only for sake of marri.

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According to ordinance, a marri will be declared "null and void" if conversion of a woman is solely for that purpose and those wishing to change ir religion after marri needs to apply to district magistrate. It also has a provision under which if someone returns to ir original religion, it shall t be deemed a conversion. While onus to prove that conversion has t been done forcibly will lie on person accused of act and convert, it said.

twithstanding anything contained in Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973, all offences under this ordinance shall be cognisable and n-bailable and triable by sessions court, ordinance said. In recent weeks, BJP-run states like Uttar Pradesh, Haryana and Madhya Pradesh have revealed plans to enact laws to counter alleged attempts to convert Hindu women to Islam in guise of marri, which is referred to as "love jihad".

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