New Delhi (ILNS): Uttar Pradesh Governor Anandiben Patel today signed the UP Prohibition of Unlawful Conversion of Religion Ordinance 2020, promulgated by the government.
A few days back UP CM Yogi Adityanath had publicly announced that he will bring a law to check what is popularly known as “love jihad.” He said that that he will bring in an ordinance as a prelude to a proposed bill on those lines, banning ‘love jihad’.
In 2019, the State Law Commission of Uttar Pradesh had submitted a report to the CM, along with a draft ‘Uttar Pradesh Freedom of Religion Act, 2019’, suggesting that “Conversion done for sole purpose of marriage to be declared null and void”.
On Tuesday, Madhya Pradesh Home Minister Narottam Mishra said that the state government will soon bring in a ‘love jihad’ bill in the state assembly which would recommend five years of rigorous imprisonment for the violators.
Also Read: Love jihad talk: Allahabad HC says state can’t prevent consenting adults from marrying each other
The move comes after the Allahabad High Court in a landmark verdict said that two adults have the right to choose their life partners. The court reiterated that a person’s right to live with the person of their choice, irrespective of religion, is intrinsic to their right to life and personal liberty guaranteed by the Constitution. It was also held by the court that the right of two adults to stay together cannot be encroached upon by the state.
As per the new law, forced conversions will be a non-bailable offence.