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- The Karnataka Legislative Assembly passed the controversial “Anti-Conversion Bill” amid uproar.
- Congress partly urged that it should not be passed for any reason and it should be withdrawn by the government.
- The CM said the bill is constitutional, legal and aims to get rid of the menace of conversion.
The controversial “Karnataka Protection of Right to Freedom of Religion Bill, 2021”, popularly known as the “Anti-Conversion Bill”, was passed by the Karnataka Assembly on Thursday amid an uproar.
Congress partially opposed the bill, calling it “anti-people”, “inhumane”, “anti-constitutional”, “anti-poor” and “draconian”, and urged that it should not be passed for any reason and that it should not be passed. should be withdrawn. by the government. The JD(S) also opposed the bill, which was introduced in the Assembly on Tuesday.
The bill was passed by a voice vote, even as members of Congress protested from the Well of the House, demanding the continuation of the debate on the bill, which began this morning. He was also expressing his anguish against some of the remarks made by Minister KS Eshwarappa during his intervention in the debate.
The Congress seemed to be on a backfoot, with the ruling BJP alleging that the bill was actually “initiated” by the Siddaramaiah-led Congress administration, and laid before the House documents to support its claim.
Although Siddaramaiah, now the Leader of the Opposition, denied this, later going through records in the Speaker’s office personally, admitted that as Chief Minister he only asked the draft Bill to be placed before the Cabinet. and no decision was taken. taken in this regard, and hence cannot be seen or projected as the intention of his government.
With Siddaramaiah accusing the RSS of being behind the bill, Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai said, “RSS is committed to anti-conversion, it is not a hidden secret, it is an open secret. Why introduced the bill during your tenure. After the policy of RSS? It is because Congress Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh brought a similar law in Himachal Pradesh. You are a party to this bill.”
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Bommai said the bill is both constitutional and legal and aims to get rid of the menace of conversion. “This is for a healthy society… Congress was now indulging in vote bank politics by opposing it, their double standards are evident today.”
The “Karnataka Protection of Right to Freedom of Religion Bill, 2021”, provides protection of the right to freedom of religion and prohibits unlawful conversion from one religion to another by misrepresentation, force, undue influence, coercion, inducement, or makes provision. Any fraudulent means.
The Bill proposes imprisonment of three to five years with a fine of Rs 25,000, while for violation of provisions with respect to minors, women, SC/ST, offenders will be punished with imprisonment of three to ten years and a fine of less than Rs 50,000. Will not done. ,
The Bill also provides for payment of up to five lakh rupees to the accused as compensation to converts, and in respect of cases of mass conversion, the Bill provides for a jail term of 3-10 years and a fine of up to Rs. is proposed. Hundred Thousand.
It also states that any marriage which takes place by a man of one religion with a woman of another religion by illegal conversion or vice versa, either before or after marriage or by converting the woman before or after marriage Ho. shall be declared null and void by the Family Court.
Where the Family Court is not established, the Court has jurisdiction to try such case, on a petition presented by either party against the other party to the marriage. The offense under this bill is non-bailable and cognizable.
The bill is also being opposed by leaders of the Christian community, stating that persons who wish to convert to any other religion have to send a special representation to the district magistrate or additional district magistrate in a prescribed format at least 30 days in advance. An authorized declaration from In this regard the District Magistrate shall his residence district or place of birth within the State.
Along with this, the person converting to religion will also have to give 30 days advance notice in a format to the District Magistrate or Additional District Magistrate.
Also, the person who seeks to convert, will forfeit the religion of his origin and the facilities or benefits attached thereto, including reservation; However, one is likely to get benefits in the religion to which he/she converts, said Home Minister Araga Gyanendra, who piloted the bill. According to Gyanendra, eight states have passed or are implementing such a law, and Karnataka will become the ninth state.
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