Bengaluru: Hundreds protest against anti-conversion bill

Bengaluru: Hundreds of people from at least 40 socio-political organizations took to the streets of Bengaluru on Wednesday against the anti-conversion bill.

The march commenced from Mysore Bank Circle and ended at Freedom Park.

Activists claimed that the bill by seeking to target conversions interferes with both the human right to dignity and the freedom to practice the faith of their choice.

“It is an absolutely unconstitutional bill. It is against the fundamental rights of freedom and liberty. The bill is not only against Christians and other religious minorities but also against each and every one of us,” Rajendra, an activist, said.

Karnataka home minister Araga Jnanendra on Tuesday tabled the anti-conversion bill in the state legislative assembly.

The bill prohibits conversion from one religion to another by misinterpretation, force, fraud, undue influence, coercion, allurement, or marriage.

Also, it proposes 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 will face imprisonment from three to ten years and a fine of not less than Rs 50,000.

The bill is said to have made a provision for the accused to pay up to Rs five lakh as compensation to those who were made to convert.