CM Shivraj Singh Chouhan: Forced Religious Conversion In MP Can Now Lead To 10 Years Of Imprisonment

Conversion through marriage or by any other fraudulent means will attract a prison term of up to ten years and fine of up to Rs 1 lakh under the proposed Madhya Pradesh Religious Freedom Act, an official said on Saturday adding that any marriage solemnized only for the purpose of converting a person will be considered null and void.

According to officials, if a person wants to convert to another religion, he or she would need to submit a declaration before a district magistrate at least one month in advance under the proposed law.

Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan held a gathering on Saturday to talk about the



proposed law, authorities said. 

As per authorities, under the proposed law, an individual can be condemned to 10 years in prison under instances of strict change of minors, gatherings, or of those having a place with booked stations and planned clans and protests can be documented by guardians and family members of the people in question.

On November 28, Uttar Pradesh Governor gave his assent to the Uttar Pradesh Prohibition of Unlawful Conversion of Religion Ordinance, 2020. The ordinance provides for imprisonment of up to 10 years and a maximum fine of Rs 50,000 for offences of forcible or fraudulent religious conversions.