Karnataka Cabinet clears anti-conversion bill, likely to be tabled in Assembly tomorrow
Belagavi, Dec 20: The contentious anti-conversion bill was cleared by the Karnataka Cabinet on Monday and it is most likely to be tabled in the legislative Assembly on December 21, official sources said.
"The cabinet that met today under the leadership of Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai has cleared the proposed anti-conversion bill, it is likely to be introduced in the assembly tomorrow," official sources aware of the developments said.
There was no official briefing of the cabinet meeting's decisions as the winter session of the state legislature is on.
The proposed bill that is being opposed by opposition parties and Christian community leaders is said to have penal provisions, and may also insist that the persons who wish to convert to another faith file an application before the Deputy Commissioner two months prior.
Also, the person who wishes to convert is likely to lose the religion of his or her origin and facilities or benefits attached with it, including reservations; however, one is likely to receive the benefits entitled to, in the religion he or she converts to, Home Minister Araga Jnanendra had earlier said.
According to sources, the proposed 'Karnataka Protection of Right to Freedom of Religion Bill, 2021', prohibits conversion from one religion to another by misinterpretation, force, fraud, undue influence, coercion, allurement or marriage.
It is also said to propose for an imprisonment from three to five years with a fine of Rs 25,000, while for violation of provisions with respect to minors, women, SC/ST will face imprisonment from three to ten years and a fine of not less than Rs 50,000.
The proposed bill is also said to have made a provision for the accused to pay up to Rs five lakh as compensation to those who were made to convert.
With regards to cases of mass conversion the bill proposes 3-10 years jail term and a fine of up to Rs one lakh.
Leader of Opposition Siddaramaiah has already said that Congress party will not allow BJP government to pass anti-conversion bill in Assembly, and JD(S) has also said that it is opposed to the bill.
With opposition from both opposition parties, it remains to be seen as how the bill gets passed in the legislative council, where the ruling BJP lacks majority.
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.
Road crash in UP leaves 10 dead
Lakhimpur Kheri (UP) (PTI): Ten people were killed when a van collided head-on with a truck on the Sisaiya-Lakhimpur national highway on Monday, police said.
The van was going to Sisaiya from Lakhimpur when the accident took place between Unchgaon and Bharehta villages.
Circle Officer of Dhaurahra, Shamsher Bahadur Singh, said all nine passengers travelling in the van and the driver were killed.
District Magistrate of Lakhimpur Kheri Anjani Kumar Singh told reporters that the van collided with a truck coming from the opposite direction, leading to nine casualties on the spot, while one succumbed to injuries at the district hospital.
Circle Officer, Dhaurahra, Shamsher Bahadur Singh told PTI, "Efforts are on to establish the identity of other deceased persons."
The seven of the deceased have been identified as Jaideep Singh (25), Pawan (23), Sohan (21), Ram Goyal (42), Sahajram (35), Pappu (18), all residents of Bahraich district and Adnan Khan (15), a resident of Lakhimpur Kheri district, police said.
Condoling the loss of lives in the accident, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath in a post on X, said, "The loss of life in the unfortunate road accident in Lakhimpur Kheri district is deeply distressing and heart-wrenching. My condolences are with the bereaved families."
"I have directed the local administration to provide prompt and adequate assistance to the injured and the victims. I pray to Lord Shri Ram to grant the departed souls a place at His divine feet and to bestow a speedy recovery upon the injured," Adityanath said on X.
Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya and Brajesh Pathak too condoled the loss of lives in the accident.
"The loss of lives resulting from the road accident in Lakhimpur Kheri district is deeply tragic and heart-wrenching. My deepest condolences go out to the bereaved families," Maurya said.
