Strict law has now come into force on forced conversions in Uttarakhand. After the approval of the Uttarakhand Religion Freedom (Amendment) Bill by the Raj Bhavan, the way for the amended Act was cleared.
Imprisonment up to 10 years with a maximum fine of Rs 50,000:
Now, in cases of mass conversion, a provision has been made for imprisonment up to 10 years along with a maximum fine of Rs 50,000. Forced conversion will now be a non-bailable offence. On the other hand, an amount of five lakh rupees can be given as appropriate compensation to the victim of conversion through the court.
Punishment and imprisonment were both increased by:
The earlier law on conversion in Uttarakhand has now been made more stringent. Both punishment and imprisonment have been increased for violating the law. This amendment has been done in case of mass vote change.
Change of opinion of two or more persons has been kept in the category of collective opinion change. In case of collective opinion change, the term of imprisonment shall not be less than three years. This can be for a maximum of 10 years. Earlier the fine amount was fixed at Rs 25,000. It has been increased to Rs 50 thousand.
Will be able to file first information report regarding vote change:
According to the amended law, any aggrieved person or his parents or siblings will be able to file a first information report regarding change of opinion under compulsion, that is, under any pressure or inducement. Now, the punishment for forcing a person to change his opinion or conspiring without his permission has been increased to two years and a maximum of seven years.
The fine amount has been increased to Rs 25 thousand. Earlier, in such cases, there was a provision of minimum one year and maximum five years imprisonment and a minimum fine of Rs 15,000. In case of violation of Section-3 in relation to minor women or scheduled caste-tribes, the minimum punishment has been increased from two years and the maximum from seven years to 10 years.
Not only this, the person who voluntarily changes his mind will have to declare it before the District Magistrate 60 days in advance. All offenses in the amended Act will be non-bailable and triable in the Sessions Court.
Government will conduct a special survey of madrassas: Dhami
Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami has entrusted the responsibility to the police department to stop activities taking place in madrassas instead of school education. He said that a special survey of madrassas is being conducted by the government. It will be the job of the police to take the survey forward.
The Chief Minister said this during the inauguration of a program organized on the topic ‘Uttarakhand Police Manthan Challenges and Solutions’ at the police headquarters on Thursday. He said that it has been observed that people from different places settle here and some of them indulge in undesirable activities, which is a matter of concern.
The police should identify such elements who are settling in Uttarakhand from outside and if something wrong is found then strict action should also be taken. The CM said that there is a need for the police to run a special campaign to curb unwanted elements.
So that the form of Devbhoomi remains the same. Strict action should be taken if someone tries to disturb the law and order. The campaign for verification of outsiders should be carried out continuously.
