Karnataka government to repeal Anti-conversion Law

Recently, the Government of Karnataka has announced to repeal of the State’s Protection of Right to Freedom of Religion Act, 2022 also known as the ‘anti-conversion law’.

• The Central Government has not imposed any anti-conversion laws in India.
• The states have phrased laws against forceful religious conversion or anti-conversion laws.  At least 10 states including Madhya Pradesh and Himachal Pradesh already have their anti-conversion laws.
• These laws vary from state to state, and the specific provisions of the laws can differ significantly.
• Several states have passed “Freedom of Religion” laws to prohibit forced, fraudulent, or coerced conversions to another religion over the years.

Reason behind the move:

• The move came after the new government in the Karnataka took charge. In order to repeal the laws which was controversial including the revised syllabus of textbooks of social sciences has also been reversed.
• Karnataka has seen opposition to these laws since it was announced, and hence the new government has thought to scrap the order.
• The decision was also been implemented for the reversal of 2020 amendments to the Agriculture Produce Marketing Act (APMC), which were opposed by farmers.

Karnataka Protection of Right to Freedom of Religion Act, 2022:

• Key Provisions:
  • Term of punishment: Any person found guilty of unlawfully converting another person will have to face a minimum jail term of 3-5 years and a fine of Rs.25, 000.
  • For Women and Children: If the person ‘unlawfully converted’ is either a minor or a woman or belongs to the SC or ST, the punishment is more — a minimum sentence of 3 years and a maximum of 10 years imprisonment, and Rs.50,000 fine.
  • In cases of ‘mass conversion’ the accused person can face 3-10 years in prison and a fine of Rs.1 lakh.
  • Compensation provided: The accused person must pay compensation to the victim of conversion and this amount can go up to Rs.5 lakh, and must be paid by the accused over and above the fine under the law.
  • Marriages and conversion: In case someone wants to convert to another religion voluntarily, there is a lengthy process in place and this applies to inter-faith marriages too.

Constitutional Provision pertaining to religion

• Article 25 of the Indian Constitution guarantees the freedom to practice, profess, and propagate any religion.
  • It also grants all religious groups the right to control their own religious affairs, subject to public morality, health, and order.
• Existing Laws:
  • Religious conversions have not been subject to any national restrictions or regulations.
  • Private Member Bills to control religious conversions, however, have repeatedly been introduced in the Parliament since 1954 (but never passed by it).
  • Additionally, the Union Law Ministry stated in 2015 that Parliament lacks the legislative authority to enact legislation prohibiting conversion.
• In recent years, there has been significant controversy and debate over the use of anti-conversion laws in India.