The contentious anti-conversion bill was tabled in the Karnataka Legislative Assembly on Tuesday, amid stiff opposition from the Congress. State Congress president D.K. Shivakumar even tore papers on his table, in protest against the introduction of the bill, which his party called “draconian and anti-Constitution”.
The ‘Karnataka Protection of Right to Freedom of Religion Bill, 2021’, introduced in the assembly by Home Minister Araga Jnanendra, provides for protection of right to freedom of religion and prohibition of unlawful conversion from one religion to another by misrepresentation, force, undue influence, coercion, allurement or by any fraudulent means. The bill proposes 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, offenders 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 5 lakh as compensation to those who were made to convert. With regard to cases of mass conversion, the bill proposes 3-10 years jail term and a fine of up to Rs 1 lakh.
“We are opposed to the introduction of the bill as it violates fundamental rights and the constitution. It violates individual’s rights. This is a draconian bill,” Leader of Opposition Siddaramaiah said. Speaker Vishweshwar Hegde Kageri asked Congress members to go though the bill that has just been introduced. It will be taken up for consideration only on Wednesday, and the opposition members can make their objections known then. As Siddaramaiah said, they were not aware about the introduction of the bill, the Speaker hit back saying “ignorance of law is no excuse”, and the bill was tabled as per procedures and rules.