Maharashtra to Introduce Law Against Forced Religious Conversions

 Maharashtra to Introduce Law Against Forced Religious Conversions

The Maharashtra government, under the leadership of Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, has taken a significant step towards enacting a law against forced religious conversions and alleged cases of 'Love Jihad.' To study the legal aspects of the proposed legislation, a seven-member committee has been formed under the chairmanship of the Director General of Police (DGP).

Committee to Study Existing Laws

The newly constituted committee will analyze similar laws enacted in other states and provide recommendations to the Maharashtra government. States such as Odisha, Jharkhand, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, and Haryana have already implemented laws against forced conversions. The committee does not have a fixed deadline to submit its report.

According to the government order issued late Friday night, the seven-member panel includes officials from the departments of Women and Child Welfare, Minority Affairs, Law and Judiciary, Social Justice, and Home Affairs. The committee aims to assess existing legal frameworks and suggest effective measures for Maharashtra.

Government’s Justification for the Law

Maharashtra minister Mangal Prabhat Lodha has welcomed the decision, calling it a long-pending demand. He stated that instances of forced religious conversions and 'Love Jihad' have been increasing, making it necessary for the state to take strict action. Lodha highlighted five major cases in Mumbai in the past year involving individuals allegedly coerced into religious conversion.

He specifically mentioned cases such as Shraddha Walkar, Rupali Chandanshive, Yashashree Shinde, Sonam Shukla, and Poonam Kshirsagar, emphasizing that a particular community targets women from other communities under the guise of love and marriage. He argued that if such incidents are not 'Love Jihad,' then what else could they be?

Political Reactions and Opposition

The proposed law has sparked a political debate in Maharashtra. While the ruling party supports the initiative, opposition leaders argue that love and marriage are personal choices that should not be interfered with by the government.

In March 2023, Mangal Prabhat Lodha claimed in the Maharashtra Assembly that the state had witnessed over one lakh cases of 'Love Jihad.' However, opposition parties challenged this claim, citing official records that reported only 3,693 interfaith marriages in the state. Samajwadi Party leader Abu Asim Azmi demanded an apology from the government for allegedly spreading misinformation.

Additionally, Supriya Sule, the working president of the Nationalist Congress Party (Sharad Pawar faction), stated that the government should focus on economic issues rather than interfering in personal relationships.

Conclusion

The Maharashtra government's decision to introduce a law against forced religious conversions has ignited a political and social debate. While supporters argue that the law is necessary to protect women from coercion, critics believe it infringes on personal freedoms. The seven-member committee will play a crucial role in determining the legal feasibility and effectiveness of the proposed legislation. As discussions continue, it remains to be seen how the state government will proceed in drafting and implementing this law.