Anti-conversion bill passed by Karnataka Legislative Assembly, amidst opposition uproar

The Karnataka assembly on Thursday passed the contentious anti-conversion law amid opposition uproar.

Congress party vehemently opposed the bill, calling it 'anti people', 'inhuman', 'anti constitutional', 'anti poor' and 'draconian'.

JD(S) too expressed its opposition to the bill, which was introduced in the Assembly on Tuesday.

The bill proposes an imprisonment from three to five years with a fine of ₹25,000, while for violation of provisions with respect to minors, women, SC/ST, offenders will face imprisonment from three to ten years and a fine of not less than ₹50,000.

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The bill also makes provisions for the accused to pay up to ₹5 lakh as compensation to those who were made to convert, and with regards to cases of mass conversion the bill proposes 3-10 years jail term and a fine of up to ₹1 lakh.

It also states that any marriage which has happened for the sole purpose of unlawful conversion or vice-versa by the man of one religion with the woman of another religion, either by converting himself before or after marriage or by converting the woman before or after marriage, shall be declared as null and void by the family court.

The offense under this bill is non-bailable and cognizable.