'Love Jihad' law comes into effect in Madhya Pradesh; forced conversion to invite 10-yr jail term

The Madhya Pradesh's Freedom of Religion Ordinance, 2020, came into effect as a law on Saturday after the state government issued a gazette notification. The 'love jihad' law comes into effect two weeks after the Madhya Pradesh Cabinet approved it.

The Freedom of Religion Bill, 2020 was supposed to be presented in the Madhya Pradesh Assembly for final passage but since the Assembly is not in session, it was promulgated by the Governor.

Under the new law, forced conversion of a minor, woman or a person from Scheduled Caste or Scheduled Tribe, would draw a minimum jail term of 2-10 years with a minimum penalty of Rs 50,000.

Also, forcing religious conversion on someone will attract 1-5 years of imprisonment and a minimum Rs 25,000 fine.

Any marriage solemnised only for the purpose of converting a person will be considered null and void under the provisions of this law. A provision is also being made that those willing to convert need to apply before the district administration two months prior.

Under the new law, no person in Madhya Pradesh will be able to convert anyone directly or otherwise through marriage or by any other fraudulent means by luring or intimidating anyone, said MP officials.

A person involved in converting another person by misleading, luring, threatening or through marriage will be prosecuted.