Karnataka Legislative Council passes anti-conversion bill amid protest
It should be noted that the anti-conversion bill was passed in the Legislative Assembly in December last year. However, it was not tabled in the Upper House given that the BJP did not have a majority in the House.
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Bengaluru, Spetember 16: In a major development, the Karnataka Legislative Council passed the Protection on Right to Freedom of Religion Bill, 2021, or the "anti-conversion bill" by a voice vote. The bill was passed amid objections by Congress and JD (S).
It should be noted that the anti-conversion bill was passed in the Legislative Assembly in December last year. However, it was not tabled in the Upper House given that the BJP did not have a majority in the House.
The government subsequently promulgated an ordinance in May this year to give effect to the bill.
On Thursday, the Bill was introduced during the Monsoon Session with the BJP now enjoying a clear majority of 41 members in the 75-member Council. The Congress has 26 members and the JD(S) has eight.
“The SC has said that freedom of religion does not allow for forced conversions. There is the freedom to convert but it should not be under coercion and allurements. Many in the Dalit community convert and still claim benefits and we do not want anybody to be robbed of benefits in this manner,” state Home Minister Araga Jnanendra said while introducing the Bill on Thursday.
According to the proposed law, complaints of conversions can be filed by family members of a person who is getting converted or any other person who is related to the person who is getting converted or even a colleague of the person who is getting converted. A jail term of three year to five years, and a fine of Rs 25000, has been proposed for people violating the law in the case of people from general categories and a jail term of three to 10 years, and a fine of Rs 50,000 for people converting minors, women and persons from the SC and ST communities.