Earlier this week, the state cabinet presided over by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath had approved the draft ordinance to curb forcible or “dishonest” religious conversions.
On Saturday, Anandiben Patel, the governor of Uttar Pradesh, gave a nod to an ordinance against forcible or “dishonest” religious conversions, an official said. The Uttar Pradesh Prohibition of Unlawful Conversion of Religion Ordinance, 2020 has been promulgated with the approval of the Governor, the official added.
Earlier this week, the state cabinet presided over by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath had approved the draft ordinance to curb forcible or “dishonest” religious conversions including those for the sake of marriage, which could land violators in jail for up to 10 years. A marriage, according to this ordinance, will be declared null and void if the conversion of a woman is solely for that purpose, and those wishing to change their religion after marriage need to apply to the district magistrate.
At a meeting of the state cabinet chaired by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath in Lucknow, the ordinance was approved and was sent to the governor for approval.
“The UP Cabinet has decided to introduce an ordinance against unlawful religious conversions,” State Cabinet Minister Siddharth Nath Singh said, adding, “The way in which religious conversions are done using deceit, lies, force and dishonesty is heart-wrenching, and it was necessary to have a law in this regard.”
This comes shortly after the Allahabad High Court, in an important verdict, had said that two adults have the right to choose their life partner. The law allows two adults to live together, whether they are of the same or opposite sex, the court had said, making it clear that no person or family could interfere in their peaceful life. Even the state cannot object to the relationship of two adults, said the court.
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