Question: Which state has passed the ordinance to ban unlawful religious conversions for marriage?
(a) Jharkhand
(b) Rajasthan
(c) Uttar Pradesh
(d) Tripura
Answer: (c)
Related facts:
- On 28 November 2020, Governor Anandiben Patel gave her assent to The Uttar Pradesh Prohibition of Unlawful Conversion of Religion Ordinance, 2020.
- The ordinance deals with religious conversion for the sake of marriage. It declares those religious conversions null and void done solely for the marriage.
- Uttar Pradesh became the third state after Haryana and Madhya Pradesh to seek a law to check such unlawful religious conversions.
Provisions:
- The law prohibits conversion from one religion to another by “misrepresenion,force,fraud,undue influence,coercion,allurement or marriage”.
- The ordinance treats this as cognizable and non-bailable offence and provides for a jail term of 1 to 5 years and a minimum fine of Rs 15,000.
- In case of minor woman or a woman from the Scheduled Caste or Scheduled Tribes communities, unlawful religious conversion will attract jail term of 3 to 10 years with a fine of ₹25,000.
- The ordinance provides for cancellation of registration of social organisations conducting mass conversions,imprisonment of 3 to 10 years and Rs 50,000 penalty.
- Those who want to convert their religion after marriage will to have submit application by two months in advance.
- The law came into force with immediate effect after its approval by the Governor.
By-Amar Mani Upadhyay