The Love Jihad (Gujarat Freedom of Religion Act) Act has been implemented in Gujarat on Tuesday. The act was passed in the recently concluded budget session of the Assembly and was approved by Governor Acharya Devvrat recently. About two months ago, the Minister of State for Home Pradipsinh Jadeja introduced the Freedom of Religion Reform Bill 2021 in the Gujarat Legislative Assembly. The notification was issued by the government after the approval of Governor Acharya Devvrat.
After Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat becomes the third state to implement this law.
The Gujarat government has mentioned a penalty of up to 5 years and a fine of up to Rs 2 lakh for those who would violate this law, while there would be a sentence of 7 years and a fine of Rs 3 lakh for the crime if a minor is involved. In addition to this, provision has been made for 7 years for offenses against women belonging to Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes.
Legal action will also be taken against those who help the individuals who are committing the crime. In some cases, it will also become a non-bailable offense. A special provision has also been made that an officer below the rank of Deputy Superintendent of Police cannot investigate this. The new section 4 provides for punishment in connection with the sole purpose of converting a person by getting him married or helping him to get married.
The unlawful conversion would be a non-bailable offense if the offense is proved to be committed against the institution and organization of the marriage.