Haryana notifies rules under anti-conversion law, DMs to invite objections before approval
Chandigarh (PTI): The Haryana government has notified rules to implement its law against religious conversion through force, undue influence or allurement under which district magistrates will have to publish a public notice and invite objections, if any, to an intended conversion.
The state assembly had passed the Haryana Prevention of Unlawful Conversion of Religion Bill in March this year. The anti-conversion law was notified a month later after the governor's assent.
The new rules, Haryana Prevention of Unlawful Conversion of Religion Rules, 2022, were notified on December 15 under the Act for implementation after the state cabinet recently approved them.
Similar bills were passed in the recent past in BJP-ruled states including Himachal Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh.
According to the notified rules, any person intending to convert to another religion shall, prior to such conversion, give a declaration in Form 'A' to the district magistrate of the district in which he is permanently residing.
"In case the person intended to be converted is a minor, both of the parents or surviving parent, as the case may be, shall give a declaration in Form 'B'.
"Any religious priest and/or any person who intends to organise conversion under the Act shall give prior notice in Form C to the district magistrate of the district where such conversion is proposed to be organised," the rules state.
The district magistrates will have to publish a public notice and invite objections in writing, if any, to the intended conversion.
Such notices will be put up in the district magistrate's office once a declaration is made by a person who intends to convert to another religion willfully "without any misrepresentation, use of force, threat, undue influence, coercion, allurement or by any fraudulent means or by marriage or for marriage".
While making a declaration before the district magistrate, such individuals will have to specify details like reason for conversion, how long they have been professing the religion which they have decided to renounce, whether they belong to a Scheduled Caste or Scheduled Tribe, occupation and monthly income.
"The district magistrate shall on the receipt of written objections to such intended conversion... verify and get the matter inquired into by such officer or agency, as he may deem fit," the rules state.
Upon verification, if the district magistrate finds that force or inducement has been used or is likely to be used in any conversion and that a conversion has taken place without notice, he may refer the case along with all material adduced during the course of the inquiry to the concerned police station for registration of a case and its investigation.
"The district magistrate, if satisfied that the conversion is willful and without any misrepresentation, use of force, threat, undue influence, coercion, allurement or by any fraudulent means or by marriage or for marriage, will issue a certificate to that effect," the rules state.
Any person aggrieved by any order of a district magistrate passed under the relevant provisions of the Act may file an appeal within 30 days from the date of receipt of a certified copy of the order before the concerned divisional commissioner.
A priest or any person who intends to organise the conversion will have to seek prior permission from the district magistrate, giving full details of such a ceremony, according to the rules.
Under the Act, in cases where courts declare such marriage as null and void, the law provides the right to maintenance to the victim husband or wife and the minor child born out of wedlock until he or she turns adult, though it will continue in case the child is physically challenged.
According to the anti-conversion law, the burden of proof as to whether the conversion was not effected through misrepresentation, force, undue influence, coercion, marriage or any other fraudulent means done for the purpose of carrying out conversion lies on the accused.
Further, if the conversion is done by allurement, use of force, coercion or fraudulent means, including the use of digital mode, there is a provision for imprisonment of one to five years and a fine of not less than Rs 1 lakh.
Anyone concealing his religion with an intention to marry shall be punished with imprisonment for a term of not less than three years, which may extend up to 10 years and shall be liable to pay a fine not less than Rs 3 lakh.
Anyone conducting a mass conversion is punishable with imprisonment for a term which shall not be less than five years and may extend up to 10 years and shall also be liable to pay a fine not less than Rs 4 lakh, according to the law.
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BJP holds agitation demanding Minister Priyank Kharge's resignation over contractor's suicide
Kalaburagi (Karnataka) (PTI): The BJP on Saturday staged a protest here demanding the resignation of Minister Priyank Kharge in connection with the suicide of a Bidar-based civil contractor.
BJP State President B Y Vijayendra, Leader of Opposition in Karnataka Legislative Assembly R Ashoka, Legislative Council Leader of Opposition Chalavadi Narayanaswamy led the protest.
The saffron party leaders gathered at Jagat Circle in large numbers holding placards, raising slogans against the Minister amid tight security presence.
As the BJP planned lay siege to Kharge's residence, the Minister decided to counter them in a unique way. Police personnel were also seen deployed outside the residence as a precautionary measure to avoid any untoward incident.
"We have ordered tender coconuts, coffee, tea, bottled drinking water for the BJP leaders who will get tired after the protest," a Kharge supporter told PTI.
Reacting to the protest, Kharge told reporters that neither he nor the government will succumb to the opposition's demand and pressure tactics.
He said there are several cases against the BJP leaders, including a case under the POCSO Act against former Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa.
Yediyurappa is the father of BJP state chief B Y Vijayendra and Shivamogga MP B Y Raghavendra.
Mounting pressure on the ruling Congress in Karnataka, the BJP has reiterated its demand for a CBI inquiry into the contractor's suicide and resignation of Kharge.
Civil contractor Sachin Panchal on December 26 allegedly died by suicide by lying before a moving train in Bidar district.
In his suicide note, he accused Priyank Kharge’s close aide Raju Kapanur of compelling him to take the drastic step. He alleged that he was receiving death threats to pay rupees one crore to Kapanur who rejected the charges.
Priyank Kharge too said he had no role in the case as the suicide note did not name him. He also demanded an inquiry into the case to bring out the truth.
