UP Govt Proposes Strengthening Anti-Conversion Law

Key Points

• 1The Uttar Pradesh Prohibition of Unlawful Conversion of Religion Act, 2021, prohibits religious conversion through “unlawful” means.
• 2The amendment was introduced by the BJP government in UP with the stated aim of protecting certain groups of people, including minors, people with disabilities, women, and persons belonging to Scheduled Caste (SC) and Scheduled Tribe (ST) communities.
• 3The Amendment removes restrictions on who can file an FIR.
• 4The revised provision states that “any person” can file an FIR related to violation of the 2021 Act.
• 5For those accused under Section 3, the Amendment introduces stringent bail conditions.
• 6If the accused has received money from “foreign or illegal institutions” in connection with unlawful conversion, they may be punished with 7-14 years imprisonment and a fine of at least Rs. 10,00,000.