The Uttar Pradesh Assembly has taken a significant step towards strengthening its stance against forced religious conversions. On Tuesday, July 30, the Assembly passed the UP Prohibition of Unlawful Conversion of Religion (Amendment) Bill, 2024, which substantially increases punishments for such acts. Notably, the bill now includes a provision for life imprisonment for individuals who deceive women into marriage with the intent of converting their religion. Previously, the maximum punishment for such offenses was 10 years of imprisonment along with a fine of ₹50,000.
The amended bill, introduced by Parliamentary Affairs Minister Suresh Khanna on Monday, also aims to streamline the process of reporting and prosecuting conversion cases. Previously, the presence of the victim, their parents, or siblings was required for registering a complaint. However, the new amendments allow any person to file an FIR (First Information Report) in conversion cases. Furthermore, all conversion cases will now be exclusively heard by Sessions Courts, which are considered higher courts. The bill also restricts the granting of bail without offering an opportunity to the public prosecutor. Crucially, all crimes under the amended Act have been classified as non-bailable, ensuring that accused individuals are detained until the investigation is complete.
While the government asserts that the amended bill strengthens its efforts to prevent forced conversions, the opposition has expressed strong criticism, alleging that the government is using this legislation to divert attention from crucial issues like poverty, unemployment, and rising inflation. Samajwadi Party (SP) leaders have accused the Yogi Adityanath-led government of failing to address the pressing needs of the people. Similarly, Azad Samaj Party (Kanshi Ram) MP Chandrashekhar voiced his concern, stating that the government’s focus on religious conversion laws while neglecting basic necessities like food, shelter, healthcare, and education is a strategic maneuver to avoid tackling real problems. He emphasized that issues like employment and rising prices are of paramount importance and should be the government’s priority. The opposition remains steadfast in its belief that the government’s focus on the conversion bill is a distraction from its failure to deliver on its promises and address the fundamental needs of the people.
