Religious Conversion: Chhattisgarh gears up to introduce bill to provide harsher punishment
Chhattisgarh is gearing up to introduce a bill aimed at cracking down on conversions, with provisions for harsher punishments. The proposed bill requires individuals seeking to convert to another religion to submit a filled-in application with personal details at least 60 days in advance to the District Magistrate. The police would then investigate the motive and reason for the conversion. If found to be illegal, the bill provides for a punishment of up to 10 years.
The draft of the "Chhattisgarh Prohibition of Illegal Religious Conversion Bill" is ready and may undergo amendments before being tabled in the legislature. According to the draft, conversions through abuse of power, coercion, undue influence, incitement, fraudulent means, or through marriage would be considered illegal.
Under the proposed bill, individuals must appear before a magistrate for verification within 60 days of submitting the application. Failure to do so may result in the conversion being considered illegal. The District Magistrate is required to display a copy of the declaration on the notice board of his office until the date of confirmation, and maintain a record of every convert.
In case of objection by blood relatives or the adopted person, an FIR can be lodged, and the case would be non-bailable and tried by the Sessions Court. The bill imposes a minimum of two years and a maximum of 10 years in prison, along with a minimum fine of Rs 25,000, for illegally converting minors, women, or persons belonging to Scheduled Castes or Scheduled Tribes. Mass conversion is punishable by a minimum of three years and a maximum of 10 years, along with a fine of Rs 50,000. Additionally, the court may approve compensation of up to Rs 5 lakh for victims of religious conversion. The law, however, does not apply to those who want to convert back to their previous religion.
The state has witnessed several instances of attacks on tribals who had converted to Christianity in districts like Kondagaon and Narayanpur. Conversion became a significant election issue before the assembly elections, with the BJP making it a focal point of their campaign. Late Union Minister Dilip Singh Judeo initiated the "Ghar Wapsi" campaign in Jashpur, aimed at bringing converted individuals back to Hinduism.
Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Dev Sai highlighted the increase in religious conversions over the past five years. He praised Judeo for his efforts in preventing rapid conversions, noting that even as a king, Judeo washed the feet of converted people and brought them back to Hinduism.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
Araijeet's four goals hand India 5th title in men's junior Asia Cup
Muscat, Dec 4: Araijeet Singh Hundal slammed four goals as defending champions India defeated arch-rivals Pakistan 5-3 in the summit clash to win a hat-trick of titles in the men's junior Asia Cup here on Wednesday.
This was India's fifth title in the continental tournament, having previously won the crown in 2004, 2008, 2015 and 2023.
The tournament was not held in 2021 due to COVID-19 pandemic.
Araijeet converted three penalty corners in the fourth, 18th and 54th minutes besides finding the net from a field effort in the 47th minute. Dilraj Singh (19th) was the other goal getter for India.
For Pakistan, Sufyan Khan (30th, 39th) converted two penalty corners, while Hannan Shahid scored from field play in the third minute.
Japan defeated Malaysia 2-1 to claim the third spot earlier in the day.
There was hardly anything to differentiate between the two sides as both India and Pakistan fought hard for ball possession in the first quarter.
The highlight of the first quarter was ariel passes employed by both the teams.
But Pakistan had the first laugh, striking as early as the third minute through a field goal from Shahid.
India didn't sit back and secured their first penalty corner seconds later, and Araijeet stepped up to draw level with a powerful drag-flick to the right of Pakistan goalkeeper.
India upped their game in the second quarter and secured their second penalty corner in the 18th minute and Araijeet struck again with another powerful flick.
A minute later, a fine field goal by Dilraj extended India's lead to 3-1.
Pakistan, however, reduced the margin in the 30th minute through a penalty corner conversion by Sufyan.
Pakistan were the better side on display after the change of ends and they drew level in the 39th minute through another penalty corner conversion by Sufyan.
India secured their third penalty corner in the 47th minute, but Araijeet's effort was saved by Pakistan goalkeeper Muhammad Janjua.
Araijeet, however, was not to be denied his hat-trick as he found the net from a field effort seconds later to hand India the lead again.
India pressed hard on the Pakistan citadel in the final 10 minutes and secured a few more penalty corners and Araijeet found the net again from a fine variation to make the scoreline 5-3.
