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An official bill to prevent religious conversion by force or by lure was tabled in the Gujarat Assembly here today. The bill standing in the name of the Parliamentary Affairs Minister, Ashok Bhatt, is likely to be taken up for discussion on March 26.
The Freedom of Religious Conversion Bill has been modelled on the pattern of a similar act adopted in Tamil Nadu and provides for three years' imprisonment and a fine of Rs. 50,000 for any religious conversion by force or by lure.
The bill seeks to make it mandatory to secure the District Magistrate's prior permission for conversion. Even if a conversion found in order is performed without such permission, the perpetrators will invite one year's imprisonment and a fine of Rs. 1,000.
In a bid to eliminate harassment during inquiry into any complaint of forcible conversion, the bill provides for an inquiry to be conducted only by the District Magistrate concerned or an officer authorised by him but not below the level of sub-divisional magistrate.
The bill said such a measure was
necessary to prevent "exploitation'' of the innocent Dalits, who were being
forced or lured into other religions by vested interests particularly operating
in the tribal belts.
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