Bhopal:
Intensifying the BJP attack on alleged cases of ‘Love Jihad’, Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav said that his government will bring a law to guarantee the death penalty for those guilty of forced religious conversions. Yadav made the announcement at an event on the occasion of the International Women’s Day and claimed that forced conversions will not be allowed in the state.
“Our government is very strict against those who commit atrocities against our innocent daughters. We will not save those who force them. Such people should not be allowed to live. Due to the religious Liberty Lady, we are busy granting the death penalty to those who do forced conversions,” he said.
The congress has strongly opposed the move. Congress MLA Arif Masood has accused the BJP government to focus on a certain religion and asked if it tried to change the constitution. “A girl was missing in Bhopal for three days. We should find her. But it has always been their habit to focusing on a certain community,” said Mr. Masood.
The religious Freedom Act was hired on 8 March 2021 by the Madhya Pradesh meeting with the BJP that paved her attitude against forced conversions. The BJP often uses the term “love jihad” to refer to an alleged conspiracy by Muslim men to lure Hindu women to marry them and convert to Islam.
Uttar Pradesh and Gujarat, who have BJP government, also have comparable laws to curb such forced conversions, while the government of Devendra Fadnavis in Maharashtra has set up a panel to study the aspects that can be included in future legislation.
The law in Madhya Pradesh has a provision to be guilty of illegal conversion with a maximum of 10 years in prison and a big fine. The law includes religious conversions due to fraudulent means, such as the pretext of marriage, incorrect representation of affairs, use of threat or strength, influence and coercion.
It states that every marriage that is concluded in violation of the law will be declared void. In cases of marriage by hiding religion, offenders can also be punished with a maximum of 10 years in prison and a fine of RS 50,000. The law allows the parents of the converted person, legal guardians or brothers and sisters to submit a complaint. Those who are willing to convert must apply to the district administration 60 days in advance, says the law.
On the occasion of the Women’s Day, Mr Yadav today transferred the indictment of his Bhopal office to women. His security schemes were also provided by female police officers. His car was also powered by a female driver.
“On the occasion of Women’s Day, all the responsibilities of my office, including driving to safety, are transferred to women. I have a number of women -oriented programs to attend today. The state government also has many arrangements that will improve the life of our sisters and will become an ideal example in the empowerment of women,” said the main minister earlier in the day.
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