In a move to combat rising ‘love jihad’ cases, the Gujarat government led by CM Vijay Rupani has proposed to amend the Gujarat Freedom of Religion Act, 2003 to bring more stringent punishment against forced religious conversions through marriage. The new law will invite a maximum jail term of seven years along with a penalty.
The proposed Gujarat ‘love jihad’ law comes along the lines of those in Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh
The amendment bill that was submitted in the Gujarat assembly on Tuesday seeks to prohibit and punish religious conversions promising a better lifestyle, divine blessings and impersonation. The bill is likely to be tabled in the ongoing Budget session of the Gujarat assembly.
The new ‘love jihad’ law would invite a jail term of five years and Rs 2 lakh penalty on the forced conversion of young women. The punishment would go up to seven years in jail and Rs 3 lakh penalty, in case of a minor girl being converted.
