UP Assembly passes amendments to 'Love Jihad Law'
violators to face life imprisonment, Rs 5L fine
Lucknow: The state government on Tuesday passed the UP Prohibition of Unlawful Conversion of Religion (Amendment) Bill, 2024, popularly called the ‘Love Jihad Law’, proposing stringent measures, including as high as life imprisonment and a fine of Rs 5 lakh for people found guilty of marrying a woman by deceit and also converting her religion.
The amended bill, which categorizes forced conversion under threat, promise of marriage or conspiracy under serious offence, has increased the sentence period for the guilty from 10 years to between 20 years and life imprisonment. The fine amount has also been hiked from Rs 50,000 to Rs 5 lakh. Additionally, the amendment provides for any citizen to lodge an FIR in case of religious conversion, as against the earlier provision of only the victim’s parents, siblings or the victim himself/herself, being permitted to file an FIR against such forced conversion.
The bill also proposes for such cases will not be heard by any court below the Sessions Court, making the crime non-bailable.
The amendment to the ‘Love Jihad Law’ has garnered mixed reactions. The BJP has lauded the bill, calling it a positive step, while the Samajwadi Party has criticized it as a 'divisive' measure motivated by the BJP’s ‘aversion’ towards a specific community.
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Karnataka offers extensive incentives in its proposed IT policy
Bengaluru (PTI): Karnataka has proposed a new Information Technology Policy for 2025–2030, offering extensive financial and non-financial incentives aimed at accelerating investments, strengthening innovation and expanding the state's tech footprint beyond Bengaluru.
The Karnataka Cabinet gave its nod to the policy 2025–2030 with an outlay of Rs 445.50 crore on Thursday after the Finance Department accorded its approval.
The policy introduces 16 incentives across five enabler categories, nine of which are entirely new, with a distinctive push to support companies setting up or expanding in emerging cities.
Alongside financial support, the government is also offering labour-law relaxations, round-the-clock operational permissions and industry-ready human capital programmes to make Karnataka a globally competitive 'AI-native' destination.
According to the policy, units located outside Bengaluru will gain access to a wide suite of benefits, including research and development and IP creation incentives, internship reimbursements, talent relocation support and recruitment assistance.
The benefits also include EPF reimbursement, faculty development support, rental assistance, certification subsidies, electricity tariff rebates, property tax reimbursement, telecom infrastructure support, and assistance for events and conferences.
Bengaluru Urban will receive a focused set of six research and development and talent-oriented incentives, while Indian Global Capability Centres (GCCs) operating in the state will be brought under the incentive net.
Incentive caps and eligibility thresholds have been raised, and the policy prioritises growth-focused investments for both new and expanding units.
Beyond incentives, the government focuses on infrastructure and innovation interventions.
A flagship proposal in the policy is the creation of Techniverse -- integrated, technology-enabled enclaves developed through a public-private partnership model inside future Global Innovation Districts.
These campuses will offer plug-and-play facilities, artificial intelligence and machine learning and cybersecurity labs, advanced testbeds, experience centres, and disaster-resistant command centres.
There will also be a Statewide Digital Hub Grid and a Global Test Bed Infrastructure Network, linking public and private research and development, and innovation facilities across Karnataka.
The government has proposed a Women Global Tech Missions Fellowship for 1,000 mid-career women technologists, an IT Talent Return Programme to absorb experienced professionals returning from abroad, and broad-based skill and faculty development reimbursements.
Shared corporate transport routes in Bengaluru and tier-two cities will be designed with Bengaluru Metropolitan Transport Corporation and other transport entities to support worker mobility.
The government said the policy is the outcome of an extensive research and consultation process involving TCS, Infosys, Wipro, IBM, HCL, Tech Mahindra, Cognizant, HP, Google, Accenture and NASSCOM, along with sector experts and stakeholder groups.
It estimates an outlay of Rs 967.12 crore over five years, comprising Rs 754.62 crore for incentives and Rs 212.50 crore for interventions such as Techniverse campuses, digital grid development, global outreach missions and talent programmes.
