Madhya Pradesh plans to introduce death penalty for forced religious conversion of girls

Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav on Saturday announced that his government would introduce the death penalty for the forced religious conversion of girls, similar to the punishment for raping minors, reported The Hindu.

Yadav made the announcement at a government event in Bhopal to mark International Women’s Day, stating that the state would take strict action against those engaging in forced conversions.

“The government is very strict against those who rape innocent daughters,” the Bharatiya Janata Party leader said. “A provision for the death penalty has been made in this regard as our government is not going to spare those who rape girls by force or by luring. We don’t want to give them a chance to live at any cost. Besides this, a provision for capital punishment is also being made under the Madhya Pradesh Freedom of Religion Act for those who religiously convert [girls].”

The Madhya Pradesh Freedom of Religion Act, 2021, prohibits unlawful religious conversions through misrepresentation, force, coercion or fraudulent means. It prescribes up to 10 years imprisonment and a fine of Rs 50,000 for those found guilty of forcing religious conversions.

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