By Nandini
BENGALURU: Ever since the BJP government in Karnataka passed the Karnataka Protection of Right to Freedom of Religion Bill, 2022 a couple of months ago, the authorities have not received even a single application seeking to convert so far.
Prior to passage of the Bill, there was quite a bit of opposition to it. Earlier, people could simply convert without having to notify the authorities. But now, they have to go through the specified process if they are to remain eligible to avail any government benefits.
Undere the law, conversion by use or practice of misrepresentation, force, undue influence, coercion, allurement or by any fraudulent means or by any of these means or by promise of marriage is prohibited.
Any converted person, his parents, brother, sister or any other person who is related to him by blood, marriage or adoption, or in any form associated or a colleague may lodge a complaint. “If the converted person belonged to an SC community, then he or she would lose facilities and entitlements meant for SCs”, Home Minister Araga Jnanendra had said.
“So far, we have not received any applications for conversion. If we receive any application, we will process it as per the provision of the law”, said Bengaluru Urban in-charge Deputy Commissioner Sangappa.
As per the provisions of the law, anyone planning to convert, and the person performing the conversing ceremony, should give a declaration at least 30 days in advance to the district magistrate or the additional district magistrate specially authorised by the district magistrate
The district magistrate will notify the proposed religious conversion on the notice board of the office of the district magistrate and in the office of the tahsildar calling for objections. If any objections are received within 30 days, he will get an inquiry conducted through officials of Revenue or Social Welfare Departments with regard to the genuine intention, purpose and cause of the proposed conversion. If the magistrate comes to a conclusion based on the inquiry, of the commission of an offence under this Act, he will direct the police authorities to initiate criminal action.
The law was enacted to curb forced and illegal conversion in the state after several complaints of forceful conversion. It entails penalties like 3-5 years jail and Rs 25,000 fine for forced conversion; 3-10 years jail and Rs 50,000 fine for converting a minor, woman or an SC/ST person; 3-10 years jail and Rs 1 lakh fine for mass conversion; and 1-3 years jail with Rs 10,000 for failure to declare.
However, Hindu groups say conversion is still happening in the state outside the law. Mohan Gowda, spokesperson of Hindu Janajagruti Samiti said, “It’s been one year since the law came into force, but no one has been punished under this law so far. Every day, there are illegal conversions going on. Innocent people are still being forced, given allurements and converted by Christian missionaries. This is a dangerous situation. The government should strictly implement the law and only then will it be effective”.
Meanwhile, Archbishop Dr Peter Machado said, “We had said earlier that the government need not be overly concerned, because Christians do no indulge in forceful conversions or through appeasement and that this is a spiritual issue. How will the people benefit from such a law? They have to do the rounds of the police station for six months and maybe that’s why they are scared. This law will only benefit certain groups who may scare the people who plan to convert. This will only provide ammunition to create social unrest”.
“We will follow the law and we will not protest against it. Some people are creating an atmosphere of fear, which is not right. We are telling those who want to convert to apply for change of religion and follow regulations. We are also advising interfaith couples to register their marriage legally”, he added.