Law to regulate conversion in MP

Bhopal, July 20 (UNI) The Madhya Pradesh government is considering to bring in a legislation to regulate conversion with a provision for fine or imprisonment to those violating the law.

It will be mandatory for the individual intending to convert as also the priest conducting the conversion ceremony to inform the district magistrate or in default to pay fine or undergo imprisonment.

A bill to amend the Madhya Pradesh Freedom of Religion Act 1968 will be presented in the current session of the Assembly scheduled to conclude on July 28, according to Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan.

According to official sources, though the Act prohibited conversion from one religion to another through force, inducement or cheating, there was no provision as to get advance information about the conversion and to prevent any such act violating the law. The amendment is being made to overcome the shortcomings.

By amending section 5 of the Act, it is proposed to make it mandatory for the individual concerned to intimate in advance the district magistrate or empowered executive magistrate through a declaration about his intention to voluntarily convert. Those violating the provision will have to pay a fine upto Rs 1,000.

At the same time, the priest conducting the conversion ceremony or directly or indirectly involved in it will have to send the intimation to the district magistrate in the prescribed proforma within one month stating the name and address of the converted and the date and venue of the conversion.

The priest failing to inform the district magistrate will be punished with imprisonment upto one year or fine of Rs 5,000 or both.

It is also proposed to make a provision that the rules framed under the Act shall be laid before the Legislative Assembly.

The legislation to check conversion was being thought of for a long time in view of large-scale conversions taking place in tribal areas and 'alarming increase' in Christian population in tribal-dominated Jhabua and other areas.

Besides, confrontation between Christian missionaries and Hindu activists over forced conversions were reported from many areas of the state.

The National Commission for Minorities also visited the state recently.

UNI SP SK KN1624