The Haryana Prevention of Unlawful Conversion of Religion Bill, 2022, was passed by the Haryana State Assembly on Tuesday, prohibiting religious conversion through allurement, coercion, or fraudulent means. Members of Congress protested the bill and walked out of the House. The Haryana Prevention of Unlawful Conversion of Religion Bill, 2022, was introduced by Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar with the goal of establishing fear in criminals.
The Chief Minister stated that while a person can change the faith of his own free will, it will not be allowed to happen to anyone forcibly. “If such persons adopt religion by deception or avarice, action will be taken against them.” “The goal of this bill is to prevent coerced religious conversion,” he continued.
Over the last four years, 127 FIRs for religious conversion have been filed in six districts, according to the Chief Minister. According to him, incidences of conversion have been reported in the districts of Yamunanagar, Panipat, Gurugram, Palwal, and Faridabad, prompting the introduction of the bill. Mr. Khattar stated that the Bill was in the best interests of both Haryana and the country.
The bill was introduced on March 4 in the Assembly, and it was taken up for consideration and passage on Tuesday. As the bill was being debated, Congress’s Bhupinder Singh Hooda, the Leader of the Opposition in the Houses, stated that there was no need for a new law because there is already a provision for the penalty of forcible conversions.
Congress walked out of Haryana Assembly
Congress leader Kiran Choudhary called the Bill “dangerous,” saying it will widen the sectarian divide. She stated that the Bill could have major consequences in the future and that it is a dark chapter in the history of the state. MLAs from Congress then staged a brief walkout from the House of Commons.
Through misinterpretation, force, threat, undue influence, compulsion, allurement, or any fraudulent methods, or by marriage, the Bill outlaws unlawful conversion from one religion to another. If a person wants to convert freely, he must file a declaration of conversion in the prescribed manner to the District Magistrate, according to the Bill. Any religious priest or other person planning to organize a conversion must notify the District Magistrate in advance and provide information about the location. A copy of the notice or declaration must be posted on the District Magistrate’s office notice board. If a person has a valid objection, he or she must file it in writing within 30 days.
If the conversion is meant to be in violation of Section 3, the District Magistrate must investigate and make a decision. If he discovers any infractions, he will refuse the conversion by issuing an order. Any person who is aggrieved by a District Magistrate’s order has 30 days to file an appeal before the Divisional Commissioner is involved. Any institution or organization that violates the requirements of this Act will be subject to the provisions of section 12 of this Act. The violation of this Act is a cognizable and non-bailable offense.