Karnataka Assembly Passes ‘Anti-conversion Bill’; Aimed at Getting Rid of Menace of Conversion, Says CM

The bill also makes provisions for the accused to pay up to Rs five lakh as compensation to those who were made to convert, and with regards to cases of mass conversion there shall be a 3-10 year jail term and a fine of up to Rs one lakh. It also states that any marriage which has happened for the sole purpose of unlawful conversion or vice-versa by the man of one religion with the woman of another, either by converting himself before or after marriage or by converting the woman before or after marriage, shall be declared as null and void by the family court. Wherever the family court is not established, the court having jurisdiction to try such case, on a petition presented by either party thereto against the other party of the marriage.

The offense under this bill is non-bailable and cognizable. The bill was passed by a voice vote on Thursday, even as Congress members were protesting from the well of the House, demanding continuation of the debate on it, that began earlier in the day.

They were also expressing their anguish against some remarks made by Minister K S Eshwarappa, during his intervention in the debate. However, Congress seemed to be on the back foot with the ruling BJP alleging the bill was actually ‘initiated” by the former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah led administration, and placed documents to support its claim before the House.

Though Siddaramaiah, now the Leader of Opposition, denied it, later on went through the records in the Speaker’s office and accepted that as the CM he had then only asked the draft bill to be placed before the cabinet and no decision was taken in this regard. Hence it cannot be seen or projected as the intention of his government. With Siddaramaiah alleging RSS’ hand behind the bill, Chief Minister Bommai said, ‘RSS is committed to anti conversion, it is not a hidden secret, it is an open secret. Why did the Congress government in 2016 initiate the bill during its tenure following the RSS’ policy? It is because Congress CM in Himachal Pradesh Virbhadra Singh had brought a similar law. You are a party to this bill.” Bommai said the bill is both constitutional and legal, and aimed at getting rid of the menace of religious conversion. ‘It is for a healthy society…. Congress was indulging in vote bank politics by opposing it now, their double standard is clear today.” The bill that is also being opposed by Christian community leaders, mandates that persons who wish to convert to another faith shall give a declaration in a prescribed format at least 30 days in advance to the District Magistrate or the Additional District Magistrate specially authorised by the District Magistrate in this regard of his residing district or place of birth within the state.