Anti Conversion law passed by MP Government with 10 years imprisonment

Bhopal, 26/12: The Madhya Pradesh Government in order to curb religious conversions in the state has passed an Anti-Conversion law by voice vote. The law will include a maximum punishment of up to 10 years in jail and up to ₹ 1 lakh in fine, with the burden of proof virtually falling on the accused and those associated with the accused, including organizations and institutions, if the bill is converted to law.

The bill is named The Dharma Swatantrya Bill 2020. It was presented at a meeting chaired by CM Shivraj Singh Chouhan.

“Under the new bill, forcing religious conversion on someone will attract 1-5 years of imprisonment and a minimum ₹ 25,000 fine,” said Madhya Pradesh Home Minister Narottam Mishra. However, if the persons converted belongs to a Scheduled Caste or Scheduled Tribe, it would draw a minimum jail term of 2-10 years with a maximum penalty of ₹ 1 lakh.