Karnataka Assembly Tables Anti-Conversion Bill, Congress Literally Tears It

Bengaluru: The contentious anti-conversion bill was put forward by the Karnataka Home Minister Araga Jnanendra in the state Assembly on 21 December.

The speaker of the Karnataka Legislative Assembly, Vishweshwar Hedge Kageri, announced his decision to permit the government to introduce the bill as per procedure. 

The speaker also added that this bill will be taken up for discussion in the Assembly on 22 December.

An enraged Karnataka Congress president DK Shivakumar literally tore the bill on the floor of the house after this controversial bill was tabled.

The controversial anti-conversion bill called The Karnataka Protection of Right to Freedom of Religion Bill, 2021 got the  approval of the Karnataka cabinet on 20 December.

D.K. Shivakumar warned that this bill will be a black mark on the state and labeled it as "A blot on Karnataka".

He further stated that, if the proposed bill is introduced it will affect the foreign investments in the state.

Speaking to reporters at Suvarna Soudha in Belagavi, Shivakumar said that children of all top BJP leaders are studying in Christian institutes.

"I have also studied in a Christian institute. Is there any instance of forceful conversions?" he asked.

He was also asked about love jihad to which he responded by saying that if two persons are in love and if two hearts are united, does it become 'Love Jihad'.

This bill has a provision for jailing those who indulge in mass conversion for a period of three to ten years and imposing a fine of Rs 1 lakh.

Also, a person belonging to a Scheduled Caste (SC) could lose government benefits, including reservations if he/she decides to covert to a religious minority group.

The draft also says that an individual who decides to convert shall give one month's prior notice in 'form-II' of such conversion to the district magistrate or any other officer not below the rank of the additional district magistrate.

In cases of inter-religious marriage, the draft says that marriages done for the sole purpose of unlawful conversion or vice-versa will be declared void.

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