Law on forced conversion in Uttarakhand is strict, now fine of Rs 10 lakh and life imprisonment; Other decisions of the cabinet

After the Jhangur case, Uttarakhand has also made the forced conversion law more stringent. In the meeting of the Dhami cabinet held on Wednesday, the amendment bill in the Uttarakhand Freedom of Religion Act was approved for this.

This bill will be introduced in the House in the monsoon session of the Assembly to be held in Gairsain. It provides for a fine of up to Rs 10 lakh and life imprisonment in cases of individual and mass conversion. Not only this, it will also be difficult for the accused to get bail quickly in these cases. The court will decide on this only after hearing in the Sessions Court.

Action will also be taken under the IT Act against those using internet networking sites for conversion. In cases of conversion, the DM will be authorized to confiscate the property of the accused like the Gangster Act. In the cabinet meeting held in the Secretariat under the chairmanship of Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, 26 subjects were placed, which were approved.

Due to the assembly session being convened, there was no briefing of the decisions of the cabinet. In view of the incidents of conversion in different parts of the country, the cabinet approved the amendment bill in the Religious Freedom Act after discussion with a view to make the conversion law applicable in the state stringent. This Act, which was in force from the year 2018, was amended in the year 2022. Now, to effectively curb forced conversion, both the fine and punishment have been increased as well as some new provisions have also been added.

In cases of conversion of the general category, earlier there was a provision of two to seven years of imprisonment and a fine of Rs 25,000. Now along with doubling the fine amount, the period of punishment has been increased from three to 10 years. In the cases of Scheduled Castes, Tribes and Divyang people, earlier there was a provision of two to 10 years of imprisonment and a fine of Rs 25,000. Now the period of punishment has been increased to five to 14 years and the fine amount has been increased to one lakh rupees.

In cases of mass conversion, earlier there was a provision of three to 10 years of imprisonment and a fine of Rs 50,000. Now the period of punishment has been increased from seven to 14 years and the fine amount has been increased to one lakh rupees.

According to the amendment bill, if a person with the intention of conversion, attacks or uses force on a person for his life or property, promises marriage or induces or conspires for it, traffics a minor woman or man by luring or attempts rape, then the law has been made stricter in such cases as well. Under this, a provision of 20 years of rigorous imprisonment has been made, which can be extended to life imprisonment.

10 lakh fine for taking donations from foreign or illegal organizations

For the first time in the bill, it has been provided that if a person receives money from any foreign or illegal organizations in connection with forced conversion, then strict action will be taken against him too. For this, a sentence of seven to 14 years and a fine of Rs 10 lakh will be charged.

Crackdown on those who blackmail through internet networking sites

Crackdown has also been done on those who use internet networking sites for conversion. Action will be taken against those involved in such activities under this Act as well as under the IT Act. The Act provides for a punishment of two to seven years and a fine of Rs 50,000 for this.

DM authorized to confiscate property

In cases of conversion, like the Gangster Act, a provision has also been made to confiscate the property of the accused. The DM has been authorized for this.

Anyone can register an FIR

Now any person can register an FIR with the police in the case of conversion. Earlier, there was a provision to register an FIR only by a blood relative of the victim.

Impression of Operation Kalanemi also

The imprint of Operation Kalanemi going on in the state will also be seen in the Conversion Act. In this regard, a provision has been made that if any person, intentionally or with the intent of deception, impersonates any other person’s religious attire, social status, caste, religion, origin, sex, place of birth and residence or impersonates any religious institution or organisation, thereby misleading the public and hurts public sentiments, then action will be taken against him under the Religious Freedom Act.