Karnataka Anti-Conversion Bill cleared by state Cabinet

Bengaluru : The Basavaraj Bommai-led Karnataka Cabinet, on Monday, cleared the much-contemplated anti-conversion bill. The clearance of the Karnataka Protection of Right to Freedom of Religion Bill-2021 paves way for the introduction of the bill in both the Houses of the state Assembly. Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai had, last week hinted that the bill would be introduced in the Vidhana Soudha during the ongoing session of the Karnataka Assembly.

As reported earlier, the draft legislation has the provision to imprison individuals indulging in mass conversions for between three-10 years. The law, once passed, will also mandate a fine of Rs one lakh on those convicted for mass conversions.

Innocent people are being converted across the state: Bommai

Speaking earlier, CM Basavaraj Bommai had clarified that the anti-conversion bill, titled – ‘The Karnataka Protection of Right to Freedom of Religion Bill-2021’ will ensure that ‘helpless’ individuals are not forced into changing their religion.

“Innocent people are being converted across the state. They are lured by money and financial assistance… Our government, our nation will not allow such a thing to happen. There is an attempt to encash poverty in our society,” Bommai said while speaking in Belagavi.

According to the draft bill, a person who intends to willingly get converted into another religion will have to undertake a legal process that involves him/ her declaring that he/ she are willingly, and without any force, wishing to change their religion.

According to the proposed bill, a religious converter will have to give one month’s notice to the concerned authorities regarding the location and the date of the scheduled conversion. The police will then conduct an inquiry into the motive, purpose and cause of such conversions.

Source : Times Now News