Uttar Pradesh enacts anti-love jihad law with Governor’s consent

• The Central Government should enact such a law for the entire country.
• Congratulations to UP Government for sincerely working for strengthening devout Hindus and women under the leadership of Yogi Adityanath. If all girls and women are given education on Dharma and spiritual practice, they will not fall victim to love jihad being sattvik in the first place. UP Government should try in this direction.

Uttar Pradesh Governor Anandiben Patel and Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath at the Raj Bhavan in Lucknow

Lucknow (UP) – The Uttar Pradesh Government had sent a draft anti-love jihad ordinance to Governor Anandiben Patel for approval. The Governor has agreed to it and signed. Therefore, this law has been implemented in the State from 28th November. Now this ordinance has to be passed in both the houses of the legislature in 6 months. Only then will it apply permanently.

1. Under the proposed law, a marriage will be declared ‘null and void’ if the conversion of a woman is solely for that purpose. Those wishing to change their religion after marriage need to apply to the District Magistrate, according to the draft ordinance which would become law after its promulgation by the state Governor.
2. Conversion for the alleged purpose of marriage is, however, one aspect of the ordinance. An official spokesperson said the onus to prove that conversion has not been done using such means will lie on the person carrying it out and the person who got converted.
3. In cases of mass religious conversion, the registration of the social organisations will be cancelled and strong action initiated against them. Punishment under the new law is a jail term of 1-5 years, and a fine of Rs 15,000.
4. If the girl involved is a minor or belongs to Scheduled Caste or Scheduled Tribe, then the jail term will range from three to 10 years with the fine increasing to Rs 25,000. “In the case of mass conversions, the punishment is from three years to 10 years and a fine of Rs 50,000.