Call to take action under anti-conversion law in love jihad case in TCS

Failure to act under anti-conversion law is a major loss to the state – Advocate Virendra Ichalkaranjikar
Attention drawn to the deliberate omission of the words “attempt to convert” in the case registered by Police

Mumbai – In the case registered regarding love jihad incident at Tata Consultancy Services in Nashik, it appears that the words “attempt to convert” have been deliberately omitted. The nature of this offence is not limited to molestation; it appears to involve a larger conspiracy (pattern) of religious conversion. Recently, during Maharashtra’s budget session, the “Freedom of Religion Bill” was passed to curb conversions carried out through inducement, fraud, or coercion. However, if the offence of conversion is not being recorded in this case due to the absence of an official government notification, despite the bill being passed, it is a major loss for the state, stated Virendra Ichalkaranjikar, National President of the Hindu Vidhidnya Parishad, while urging that action be taken under the Freedom of Religion Act in the TCS case.

He also questioned why, despite nine cases being registered so far, the Police have not invoked the anti-conversion law.

Is the law being deliberately ignored ?

According to provisions in the Freedom of Religion Bill, repeat offenders face stricter punishment. Some of the accused in these cases are reportedly repeat offenders. If action had been taken under this law, then the institution where these incidents occurred could also have faced action. Advocate Virendra Ichalkaranjikar expressed suspicion that the law might be deliberately ignored to protect the institution.