Shimla 13 Aug : The state legislature on Saturday approved the Himachal Pradesh Freedom of Religion (Amendment) Bill of 2022 with an unanimity vote to strengthen punishment and include a specific reference of “mass conversion” to the law currently in force.Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur said earlier the law was passed with the intention of ensuring the freedom of religion, and to prohibit religious conversions based on false representation or force, unjustified influence, coercion, or any other fraudulent method or marriage.”Now it is necessary for some amendments to be implemented to make it more strict.”
Himachal Pradesh was among the first states to pass the law against conversion in 2006.However, in the following year, the government removed the Act and passed the Himachal Pradesh Freedom of Religion Act 20l9 in response to the rise in instances of forced conversion.
“There wasn’t a provision in the Act to prevent mass conversions.
Therefore an amendment to that effect has been created.The prison for mass conversions will be between 5 and 10 years, and a fine of 1.50 lakh.1.50 lakh.” Thakur said while introducing the bill in the Vidhan Sabha on Friday, the last day of the session.
The law of 2006 was introduced by the Virbhadra Singh-led Congress government.The BJP government introduced the version for 2019 that was approved by the majority of the.
