Madhya Pradesh Government to introduce bill against Love Jihad; five years jail for culprits

Madhya Pradesh Home Minister Narottam Mishra, on Tuesday, said the state government will soon introduce Love Jihad bill in the state assembly. it includes five years rigorous imprisonment for violators. As per the new legislation, the act of Love Jihad will be a non-bailable offence.

“There will be provision to declare marriages taking place forcefully, out of fraud or by tempting someone, for religious conversion, null and void. Those assisting in committing this crime will also be considered a party to the crime,” Mishra said.

“The Madhya Pradesh government has decided to bring in the Dharma Swatantrya Bill 2020. Under this the practice of coercing someone into marriage by cajoling or pressuring will be made punishable by five-year rigorous imprisonment. Those assisting in such crimes will also be treated as primary accused…It will be a non-bailable offence,” Mishra told a news channel.

“For voluntary conversion for marriage, it will be mandatory to apply to the collector a month in advance,” he said, adding that no community will be targeted under the law.

Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan had earlier that the state government would bring in a new legislation against “love jihad”. “Jihad will not be permitted in the name of love at any cost in the state. Necessary legal provisions will be made against love jihad,” he had said.