Uttar Pradesh (UP) Assembly passed a new version of the UP Prohibition of Unlawful Conversion of Religion Bill, 2024. This law, often referred to as the love jihad law, introduces harsher penalties for illegal or forced religious conversions.
Under the new Bill, offenders can face up to 20 years in prison or even life imprisonment if the conversion happened under threats, promises of marriage, or as part of a conspiracy. Previously, the maximum punishment was 10 years in prison and a fine.
The updated Bill also allows anyone—not just victims, their parents, or siblings—to file a police report (FIR) in cases of religious conversion. It also stipulates that these cases must be heard in higher courts, specifically sessions courts, and makes the crime non-bailable.
Uttar Pradesh was the first state to introduce a law addressing deceptive or forced conversions, initially through an ordinance in 2020, which was later formalized as the UP Prohibition of Unlawful Conversion of Religion Act, 2021. Although the term love jihad is not used in the Act, BJP leaders have claimed it targets what they see as misleading marriages between Hindu girls and Muslim men.
The new law also requires anyone wishing to convert for marriage to apply to the district magistrate at least two months in advance.
(Featured Image Source: Deccan Herald)
Yogi ji had done excellent job in bringing stricter law against love jihad by Muslim fanatics. I feel almost all the states shld bring act in their States at the earliest so that thousands of girls can be prevented from these muslim fanatics any more !