Karnataka Govt Decides To Repeal Anti-Conversion Law: Why Was The Law Controversial?

Zaheer Hussain
June 29, 2023
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The Karnataka Cabinet decided on Thursday to repeal the law prohibiting religious conversion, which was announced by the Basavaraj Bommai-led BJP government last September. While in opposition, Congress has vocally opposed the Protection of Religious Freedom Act of 2022, also known as the Anti-conversion Act.

Why In The News?

The Karnataka Cabinet On Thursday Decided To Scrap The Law Against Religious Conversion That Was Notified By The Basavaraj Bommai-led BJP Government Last Year In September.
While In Opposition, The Congress Had Vociferously Opposed The Protection Of Right To Freedom Of Religion Act, 2022, Commonly Known As The Anti-conversion Act.

Karnataka’s Anti-Conversion Act 2022

Also Called As ‘Karnataka Protection Of Right To Freedom Of Religion Act, 2022’ Provides For Protection Of The Right To Freedom Of Religion And Prohibition Of Unlawful Conversion From One Religion To Another By Misrepresentation, Force, Undue Influence, Coercion, Allurement Or By Any Fraudulent Means.
It Proposes An Imprisonment From Three To Five Years With A Fine Of Rs 25,000, While For Violation Of Provisions With Respect To Minors, Women, SC/ST, The Offenders Will Face Imprisonment From Three To Ten Years And A Fine Of Not Less Than Rs 50,000.
The Bill Also Makes Provisions For The Accused To Pay Up To Rs Five Lakh As Compensation To Those Who Were Made To Convert, And With Regards To Cases Of Mass Conversion There Shall Be A 3 To 10 Year Jail Term And A Fine Of Up To Rs One Lakh.
It Also States That Any Marriage Which Has Happened For The Sole Purpose Of Unlawful Conversion Or Vice-versa By The Man Of One Religion With The Woman Of Another, Either By Converting Himself Before Or After Marriage Or By Converting The Woman Before Or After Marriage, Shall Be Declared As Null And Void By The Family Court.
Wherever The Family Court Is Not Established, The Court Having Jurisdiction Can Try Such A Case, On A Petition Presented By Either Party Thereto Against The Other Party Of The Marriage. The Offence Under This Bill Is Non-bailable And Cognizable.
The Bill Mandates That Persons Who Wish To Convert To Another Faith Shall Give A Declaration In A Prescribed Format At Least 30 Days In Advance To The District Magistrate Or The Additional District Magistrate Specially Authorised By The District Magistrate In This Regard Of His Residing District Or Place Of Birth Within The State.
Also, The Religious Converter Who Performs The Conversion Shall Give 30 Days Advance Notice In A Format, To The District Magistrate Or The Additional District Magistrate.
The Person Who Wishes To Convert Will Lose The Religion Of His Or Her Origin And the Facilities Or Benefits Attached With It, Including Reservations; However, One Is Likely To Receive The Benefits Entitled To, In The Religion, He Or She Converts To.

Current Scenario

The New Bill Is Slated To Be Tabled In The Next Session Of The Legislature. The Cabinet Also Decided To Repeal The Changes Made To The Agricultural Produce Market Committee (APMC) Act.
Additionally, The Karnataka Cabinet Decided To Provide Supplementary Textbooks For The Subjects Of Kannada And Social Science And Remove Lessons Featuring Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) Leaders, Madhav Sadashiv Golwalkar Hegdewar And Vinayak Damodar Savarkar, As Well As A Lesson Written By Right-wing Orator Chakravarty Soolibele.

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