On 1st April, The Gujarat Freedom of Religion (Amendment) Act, 2021 was passed in the Gujarat Assembly. This stringent act seeks to ban forceful religious conversions by means such as marriage and is set to come into force from 15th June 2021. The law has already got consent from the Governor Acharya Devvrata amidst opposition from a certain group of people.
The GFR 2021 act amends the Gujarat Freedom of Religion Act, 2003 by adding stricter provisions to it against any group or individual indulged in forceful religious conversions. Under this act the accused may have to face imprisonment of over 10 years along with a fine up to 5 lakh rupees. Also, any court having jurisdiction under the provisions of the act can declare a marriage null and void if it’s done with the purpose of religious conversion.
In the previous act the maximum punishment defined was 4 years with a fine up to 1 lakh rupees. As per the government, the act is aimed at prohibiting any forceful religious conversions by fraudulent means. Originally the 2003 act mentioned two categories through which the conversions are performed namely “Allurement” and “Grant of any material benefit, either monetary or otherwise”. The Gujarat Freedom of Religion (Amendment) Act, 2021 adds third category to it “Better lifestyle, divine blessings or otherwise”.