On Thursday, June 15, the Siddaramaiah-led Karnataka Congress government decided to repeal the Anti-Conversion Law, which was brought in by the previous BJP government in the state. The government will now bring in a bill related to the same, in the upcoming legislature session, starting on July 3, 2023.
After the Karnataka cabinet meeting, speaking with the media, Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister, HK Patil, said, “The Cabinet discussed the anti-conversion bill. We have approved the bill to repeal the changes that were brought in by the BJP government in 2022. It will be tabled during the session starting from July 3”.
It is to be noted that when the anti-conversion law or the Karnataka Protection of Right to Freedom of Religion Act was introduced in the state back in 2022, the Congress had opposed the same. The Act provides protection of the right to religious freedom, and prohibits unlawful religious conversion through acts of misinterpretation, force, undue violence, coercion, allurement, or fraud. Violation of the law can lead to imprisonment for 3 to 5 years, with a fine of 25,000 Rs, and in case the violation is made against minors, women, or SC/ST people, the offender will face imprisonment from 3-10 years, and a fine of not less than 50,000 Rs.
As per the anti-conversion law, any marriage that takes place for the sole purpose of unlawful religious conversion, or if it is the other way round, will stand null and void. The offense in non-bailable and cognizable. The act also makes it compulsory to submit a declaration in a prescribed format, in case an individual wants to convert to another religion on their own accord, at least 30 days prior to the District Magistrate. The religious converter should also give a notice 30 days prior to the DM or the ADM.
As per the law, any individual who converts into another religion loses the identity of the religion they followed earlier, and also all the benefits related to the same, for instance, reservation; but the benefits of their new religion will be available to the individual post conversion.
After the Congress’ announcement on Thursday, the BJP lashed out at the Karnataka government, and called the current Karnataka dispensation as the ‘new Muslim League’. Taking to Twitter, former Union Minister and senior BJP leader, Basanagouda R Patil, asked, “Is this ‘mohabbat ki dukaan’, Mr. Rahul Gandhi?”
He added, “CM Siddaramaiah’s anti-Hindu agenda is exposed. Do you want Hindus to be wiped out? Conversion mafia has influenced Siddaramaiah and his cabinet to withdraw the ‘anti-conversion law’, which was introduced by the BJP”.
BJP National General Secretary, CT Ravi, said, “The conversion mafia in Karnataka ensures that the anti-Hindu ‘CONgress’ repeals the anti-conversion law brought in by the earlier Karnataka BJP government”. Ravi expressed, “CONgress is the new Muslim League, and will go to any extent to hurt the Hindus”.
