Anti-conversion Bill leaves wide scope for legal action

Person who wants to convert has to declare intent at least 30 days in advance to the district magistrate or the additional district magistrate

Bringing several stringent provisions, the Karnataka Protection of Right to Freedom of Religion Bill, 2021, which was introduced in the Legislative Assembly on Tuesday, provides scope for inquiry to be conducted if any objection is received over a proposed conversion, both prior to or after the person has converted.

While the person desiring to convert is mandated to declare at least 30 days in advance to the district magistrate or the additional district magistrate, the proposed conversion will be notified on the notice board of the office of the district magistrate and in the tahsildar’s office calling for objections. A similar advance notice has to be given by the religious converter performing the conversion ceremony. The person also has to declare the place of conversion.