The Madhya Pradesh Cabinet on Saturday approved the MP Freedom of Religion Bill, 2020 in a special meeting chaired by Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan.  

Under the proposed law, conversion through marriage or any other fraudulent means will draw a prison term of up to 10 years and a fine of up to Rs 1 lakh, state Home Minister Narottam Mishra said, PTI reported.  

Mishra further stated that once enforced, this will be the most stringent law in the country against religious conversion carried out by fraudulent means, allurement or threat.

“We won’t allow forced conversions in Madhya Pradesh. Under new bill, anyone who does it will face jail term up to 10 years and minimum Rs 50,000 fine. Many incidents came to light where minor girls were converted, married and made to contest Panchayat polls,” ANI quoted Chouhan as saying.  

The bill will now be presented in the state Assembly.

“This bill will replace the Religious Freedom Act of 1968 (after the approval by the state Assembly),” Mishra said.

Madhya Pradesh becomes the second BJP-ruled state to approve a law prohibiting forced conversions through marriage or any other fraudulent means, after Uttar Pradesh. 

Uttar Pradesh Governor Anandiben Patel gave assent on November 28 to the Uttar Pradesh Prohibition of Unlawful Conversion of Religion Ordinance, 2020, against forcible or fraudulent religious conversions.

Mishra said that any marriage solemnized only for the purpose of converting a person will be considered null and void under the provisions of this proposed legislation. 

Additionally, any person willing to undergo conversion will need to apply before the district administration two months prior, he said.