The new Karnataka government has revoked the anti-conversion law passed by the previous BJP government, which was opposed by the Congress and JD(S) parties. It had proposed imprisonment from three to ten years with a fine of not less than Rs 50,000 for violations of provisions concerning minors, women, and SC/ST.
Leader of Opposition in the Legislative Council B.K. Hariprasad even tore up a copy of the Bill in protest as the pro-tem chairman Raghunath Rao Malkapure was in the process of putting the Bill to vote.
Karnataka anti-conversion law: Home Minister Araga Jnanendra piloted the Bill for consideration in the Upper House on Thursday. Noting that in recent times religious conversions have become widespread, he said there have been mass conversions with allurements and through force.