UP Brings Ordinance With Tough Provisions Against 'Unlawful Religious Conversions'

Lucknow, Nov 24 (TNA) The Uttar Pradesh government on Tuesday evening passed an ordinance to check forced religious conversions.

The Uttar Pradesh Unlawful Religious Conversion Prohibition Ordinance (2020) says religious conversions that use falsehood, force or an incentive, or take place solely for the purpose of marriage will be declared a crime.

Those who plan to convert after marriage, the government said, will have to inform the District Magistrate of their intention at least two months in advance.

All persons booked under this provision of law will bear the burden of proof, clarifying that the conversion was neither for the nuptial or forced.

All cases filed under the ordinance will be non-bailable. "Over 100 cases were before us where forcible conversion has taken place (and so) framing a law was necessary. Yogi ji's cabinet has brought in an ordinance and there are many penal provisions," Siddharth Nath Singh, UP minister and spokesman for the government said.