The Uttar Pradesh Assembly passed the UP Prohibition of Unlawful Conversion of Religion (Amendment) Bill, 2024, on Tuesday, which introduces a maximum punishment of life imprisonment for fraudulent or forced conversions. The amended law increases the maximum punishment from 10 years to life imprisonment, allows any person to file a complaint, and makes bail more difficult.

The government argued that the existing provisions under the Uttar Pradesh Prohibition of Unlawful Conversion of Religion Act, 2021, were insufficient, prompting the need for a more stringent law. The Bill’s statement of reasons highlighted the seriousness of illegal religious conversion, particularly concerning the dignity and social status of women, and the involvement of foreign and anti-national elements.

Key changes in the Bill include expanding the scope for lodging FIRs to “any person”, and introducing harsher penalties for those using threats, force, or inducements to cause religious conversions. Offenders may face rigorous imprisonment of at least 20 years, extending to life imprisonment, with fines payable to victims for medical expenses and rehabilitation.

Furthermore, individuals receiving money from foreign or illegal institutions for unlawful religious conversion will face rigorous imprisonment of seven to 14 years and a minimum fine of Rs 10 lakh. Those targeting minors, disabled or mentally challenged persons, women, or individuals from Scheduled Castes or Scheduled Tribes will face up to 14 years of imprisonment and a fine of at least Rs 1 lakh.

The Bill also increases the punishment for mass religious conversions to 7-14 years imprisonment with a minimum fine of Rs 1 lakh, compared to the current 3-10 years imprisonment with a minimum fine of Rs 50,000.

Section 7 of the existing Act has been amended to make bail provisions more stringent. The new sub-clause requires that a person accused under the Act, if in custody, cannot be released on bail unless the public prosecutor is given an opportunity to oppose the bail application, and the session court is satisfied that the accused is not guilty and will not commit an offence while on bail.

Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath had taken this initiative with the intention of curbing ‘love jihad’, a term coined by some Hindu outfits for alleged forcible conversion.

An ordinance was issued for curbing forced conversion in November 2020 and later, after the bill was passed by both the houses of the Uttar Pradesh Legislature, the Uttar Pradesh Prohibition of Unlawful Conversion of Religion Act-2021 came into force.