Life imprisonment for love jihad… Yogi government introduced a bill in the assembly

The Yogi government on Monday introduced the UP Prohibition of Unlawful Conversion of Religion (Amendment) Bill 2024 in the Assembly. It provides for doubling the punishment for already defined crimes and life imprisonment for some other crimes.

Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath.

The results of the Lok Sabha elections were not good for BJP in UP this time. Still, CM Yogi is firm on his Hindutva agenda. The controversy over the decision to install name plates in the Kanwar Yatra is still going on. However, the Supreme Court has banned it. Now the Yogi government has turned its attention towards love jihad. The government has decided to impose more stringent punishment on illegal conversion in UP. For the first time, there is a proposal to give punishment up to life imprisonment for these crimes.

The Yogi government introduced the UP Prohibition of Unlawful Conversion of Religion (Amendment) Bill 2024 in the Assembly. In this, the punishment for already defined crimes has been doubled. There is a provision for life imprisonment in some other crimes. In the 2017 assembly elections, the Yogi government had made 'love jihad' an election issue.

Proposal to increase both the scope of the crime and the punishment

To stop this, the UP Prohibition of Unlawful Conversion of Religion Ordinance was passed in 2020. In 2021, it was passed by the legislature and given legal form. Under this law, the maximum punishment was 10 years and a fine of up to 50 thousand. In the proposed bill, it has been proposed to increase both the scope of the crime and the punishment.

Funding for illegal religious conversion has also been brought under the purview of this law. This includes funding from foreign institutions or any illegal organization. If anyone puts someone in fear of life or property, or attacks, uses force or promises to marry or conspires for this with the intention of converting someone, then he will have to pay a fine along with life imprisonment.

Now anyone can give information about crime to police

The court will be able to impose a fine in lieu of the victim's medical expenses. The government says that the punishment for the crime will also be decided on the basis of the sensitivity of the crime, the social status of the women, and whether they belong to a Dalit or backward community. To stop illegal conversions, it was felt that there is a need to increase the punishment and fine. Therefore, this bill is being brought.

Another change has been made in the law. It also proposes to increase the scope of those who report the incident. Earlier, the victim, his parents, siblings or any relative could report the crime. Now any person can give information about it to the police in writing. It can be investigated. Under the law, all crimes have been made non-bailable. Its hearing will not be done below the Sessions Court. Bail petition will not be considered without giving an opportunity to the Public Prosecutor.