Himachal Pradesh Assembly Passes Freedom of Religion Bill to Prevent 'Forced Conversions'
Himachal Pradesh State Assembly on Friday passed a bill to stop forced conversion. The assembly cleared the Himachal Pradesh Freedom of Religion Bill, 2019 with a voice vote. The Himachal Pradesh Freedom of Religion Bill, 2019 also nullifies an Act passed in 2006 by the same name.
Shimla, August 30: Himachal Pradesh State Assembly on Friday passed a bill to stop forced conversion. The assembly cleared the Himachal Pradesh Freedom of Religion Bill, 2019 with a voice vote. The bill prohibits religious conversion by misrepresentation, force, undue influence, coercion, inducement, marriage or any fraudulent means. Shimla-Chandigarh Heli Taxi Service Flagged Off by Himachal Pradesh CM Jairam Thakur: Know Ticket Price, Travel Time And More.
The Himachal Pradesh Freedom of Religion Bill, 2019 also nullifies an Act passed in 2006 by the same name. According to the bill, anyone who wished to change his/her religion will have to give one month’s notice to a magistrate. Himachal Pradesh Rains: All 300 People Stranded In Lahaul-Spiti Will Be Rescued Soon, Says CM Jairam Thakur.
The bill was tabled in the assembly by Chief Minister Jairam Thakur on Thursday. According to reports, the bill was passed unanimously. However, the Communist Party of India (Marxist) member Rakesh Singha expressed apprehensions over certain provisions of the bill.
Speaking on the bill, Thakur said, "We are not able to stop religious conversions after that Act (2006). No case was registered so far despite several cases of religious conversions coming to light. The previous act needed 10 amendments, so we decided to bring the new Bill. The new act will be more stringent." Water Crises in Himachal Pradesh: CM Jairam Thakur Says Government Working to Resolve Water Woes; Seeks More Support from Centre.
He further added that the, Himachal Pradesh Freedom of Religion Act, 2006 was enacted to provide for the prohibition of conversion from one religion to another by use of force or inducement or by fraudulent means. Thakur stated that after the enactment, society had undergone many transitional changes.
(With inputs from IANS)
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Aug 30, 2019 08:58 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).