Gujarat Governor Approves "Love Jihad" Bill Against Forced Conversions By Marriage

Gujarat Governor Acharya Devvrat approved an amendment bill against forced conversions by marriage. The Gujarat Freedom of Religion (Amendment) Bill, 2021 provides for a prison sentence of up to 10 years for fraudulent or forcible conversion by marriage.

The amendment bill against forced conversions was passed by the state Legislative Assembly on April 1, 2021, and was approved by Governor Devvrat. A person can be imprisoned for 3 to 5 years and fined up to 2 lakh rupees if a "forcible conversion by marriage” takes place.

As per the Gujarat Freedom of Religion (Amendment) Bill, 2021, if the victim is a minor, woman, Dalit, or tribal, then the accused may be punished with imprisonment of 4 to 7 years and a fine of 3 lakh rupees or more. If an organisation violates the amended bill, the person in charge of the organisation may be imprisoned for a minimum sentence of 3 years and a maximum sentence of 10 years.

The bill amends the Gujarat Freedom of Religion Act, 2003. The amendment aims to reduce the “emerging trend” where women are “lured to marriage” for the purposes of religious conversion.

The 2003 act dealt with religious conversions through “force or by misrepresentation or by any other fraudulent means”. The amendment bill mentioned promises of a better lifestyle, impersonation, and 'divine blessing'.

Legislative and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Bhupendrasinh Chudasama said that Governor Devvrat approved seven other bills along with the amendment bill. Devvrat approved all 15 bills that had been passed during the budget session of the Assembly.

Earlier this year, Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani said that the government would enact laws against “love jihad” in Gujarat. He said that “We are going to bring a law against love jihad in the Assembly.”

The states of Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh also enacted similar “anti-love jihad” laws that banned “fraudulent” conversions through marriage.