Earlier this year, Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh had announced that the State Government will bring a law to curb the “Love-Jihad”. The law will work to ban love jihad.
Also, last year, UP State’s Law Commission in its report suggested that conversion done for sole purpose of marriage should be declared null and void. Other States like Madhya Pradesh and Haryana have also confirmed of bringing a law on similar lines, with an aim to keep check on “Love-Jihad”.
The new law mandates, love jihad and forced conversions to be a non-bailable offence. The proposed law also mandates of jail term of up to ten years if violation of the provisions is found.
The Burden of Proof to as to whether a religious conversion was not effected through misrepresentation, force, undue influence, coercion, allurement or by any fraudulent means or by marriage, lies on the person who has caused the conversion and, where such conversion has been facilitated by any person, on such other person.
As per the proposed law, the State Government will not provide any financial aid or grant to such institution or organization that is found violating the provisions of the Ordinance.
The current Governor of Uttar Pradesh, Anandiben Patel gave her assent to the Ordinance brought in by the State Government.
