MP Assembly clears anti-conversion Bill

The Madhya Pradesh Assembly on Monday passed the Freedom to Religion Bill, 2021, that aims to check religious conversions through marriage or by any other fraudulent means. Those convicted can be awarded jail term of upto 10 years and a fine of Rs 1 lakh. After a discussion on the Bill, it was passed by voice vote in the Assembly. Governor Anandiben Patel had on January 9 gave assent to the Madhya Pradesh Freedom of Religion Ordinance, 2020, which penalised religious conversions through fraudulent means, including those for the sake of marriage.