BJP leader Nitesh Rane announced plans to meet with Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis to advocate for an anti-conversion law in the state on Sunday. Rane highlighted the rise in incidents of ‘Love Jihad’ and religious conversions as the primary motivation behind this push.
“We will soon meet with CM Eknath Shinde and Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis to urge them to introduce an anti-conversion law in Maharashtra in response to the increasing cases of Love Jihad and conversions,” Rane told ANI.
This announcement follows the recent passage of the U.P. Prohibition of Unlawful Conversion of Religion (Amendment) Bill, 2024, by the Uttar Pradesh Legislative Assembly. The new bill increases the maximum punishment for forced or fraudulent conversions to life imprisonment, up from the previous 10-year maximum sentence. Under this bill, penalties include up to 20 years in prison or life imprisonment for actions such as threatening, attacking, marrying, promising to marry, conspiring, or trafficking individuals with the intent to convert them.
Congress leader Aradhana Mishra clarified that the bill is not a new law but an enhancement of existing penalties for unlawful conversions. “This bill does not introduce a new law regarding religious conversions. It merely increases the penalties for such offences,” Mishra stated.
In response to the bill’s passage, Samajwadi Party Chief Akhilesh Yadav accused the BJP of using the issue to divert attention from developmental work. “What do you expect from them (BJP)? They are focused on politicising issues rather than addressing development,” Yadav remarked.
(With inputs from ANI)