Haryana

• 23 Mar 2022

Haryana Prevention of Unlawful Conversions Bill, 2022

Why in News?

• On March 22, 2022, the Haryana Legislative Assembly passed the Haryana Prevention of Unlawful Conversions Bill, 2022 against conversions through force, undue influence or allurement.

Key Points

• With this, Haryana has become the fourth state in the country to pass the Conversion Bill. Similar bills were recently passed in Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh and Himachal Pradesh.
• The Haryana Prevention of Unlawful Conversions Bill, 2022 was introduced in the Haryana Legislative Assembly on March 4, 2022.
• Every offense committed under the Haryana Prevention of Unlawful Conversions Bill, 2022 shall be cognizable and non-bailable.
• According to the Bill, if conversion is done by allurement, use of force, fraudulent means or coercion, then there is a provision for imprisonment of one to five years and a fine of not less than Rs 1 lakh.
• Whoever converts or attempts to convert a minor, a woman or a person belonging to the Scheduled Castes or Scheduled Tribes, shall be punished with imprisonment for a term which shall not be less than four years, which may extend to 10 years and liable to fine not less than Rs 3 lakh.
• Concealment of religion with intent to marry is punishable with imprisonment of not less than three years, which may extend to 10 years. Similarly, anyone found guilty of marrying will have to pay a fine of not less than three lakh rupees.
• According to the bill, mass conversion will be punishable with imprisonment of not less than five years, which may extend to 10 years and with a fine of not less than Rs 4 lakh. On the other hand, if proved to be forcible conversion, there will be a maximum imprisonment of ten years and a minimum fine of five lakh rupees.