UP's 'love jihad' law: 14 cases and 51 arrests in one month

The Uttar Pradesh police has registered 14 cases, arrested 51 and jailed 49 people under the state's Prohibition of Unlawful Conversion of Religion Ordinance, 2020 which was implemented a month ago on November 28. 

Out of the 14 cases, 13 are about Hindu women allegedly forced to convert to Islam while one case involves alleged illegal conversion to Christianity. 

Only in 2 out of those 14 cases, however, has the complaint been filed by the woman herself. In the remaining 12 cases, the complaints were filed by the relatives of the women. 

In all cases but one, the woman involved is an adult. 

In two of the cases, the women, both married to other people, have refused to record their statements, citing 'social pressure'. In two other cases, women have levelled rape charges. Three of the women who were allegedly pressured for conversion are Dalits.

So what is UP's 'anti-love jihad' law?

Under this law anyone found guilty of forcing religious conversion face jail term of one to 5 years, and a minimum fine of ₹15,000. If the case involves conversion of a minor or a woman from the Scheduled Caste or Scheduled Tribe, then the guilty face a jail term from three to 10 years, with a minimum fine of ₹25,000. Mass conversions will attract punishment of 3-10 years in jail and minimum fine of ₹50,000. The laws also states that a marriage will be declared null and void if sole intention of the marriage was to change a girl's religion. Anyone who wants to convert has to give an application to the District Magistrate 2 months in advance.