A private member’s Bill on love jihad and anti-conversion was listed in the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly on Friday. The Bill, seeking to make forcible conversions a cognisable offence, and seeking a ban on them, was sought to be brought by BJP MLAs Atul Bhatkhalkhar and Sudhir Mungantiwar. Though it was listed, the Bill was not tabled in the Assembly on Friday.
“I have requested for a private member’s Bill on love jihad and anti-conversion. It is likely to come for discussion at a later stage during the Budget session of the Assembly,” Mr. Bhatkhalkar told The Hindu.
The Bill seeks imprisonment of up to three years and a fine of up to ₹15,000 for forced conversions. It seeks that the person who forcibly converts “an ignorant person, a woman or a person belonging to the Scheduled Caste or the Scheduled Tribe, will be punishable with imprisonment for a term which may extend to five years and a fine which may extend to ₹1 lakh”.
The Bill is likely to be tabled at a later stage during the ongoing session. “Whenever the private member’s Bill will come for discussion, the government will respond to it. It was listed in today’s agenda,” Mr. Bhatkhalkar added.
Earlier this year, the Maharashtra government had set up a high-level committee against forced conversions and love jihad. The seven-member panel, headed by the Director General of Police, includes officials from other departments including the women and child welfare, minority affairs, law and judiciary, social justice, special assistance and Home departments. The committee has been asked to give recommendations for a legislation to prevent such acts.
Published – March 08, 2025 03:49 am IST