Chhattisgarh Assy passes stringent anti-conversion bill

Raipur, Aug 3 (UNI) The Chhattisgarh Assembly today passed by voice vote a Freedom of Religion (Amendment) bill, introducing stringent provisions to prevent conversion either by force or allurement.

Piloting the proposal for legislation, Home Minister Ram Vichar Netam said conversion either by force or allurement was common, particularly in tribal areas hence the government felt it necessary to amend the Freedom of Religion Act, 1968.

The bill lays down that a person wishing to convert has to voluntarily inform the district magistrate of his intention and any person(s) or organisations performing the conversion ritual were also required to inform the authorities a month in advance.

The district magistrate, after an inquiry, could pass an order to grant or refuse permission. Such an order would be in force for two months. An appeal against such an order could be moved within 30 days.

The bill enshrines provisions for penal action such as imprisonment upto three years and a fine of upto Rs 20,000 for conversion without obtaining permission from the district magistrate.

Anyone who ''embraces'' the religion of his forefathers or ''returns'' to his parent religion would not come under the purview of conversion, the bill stipulated.

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