Uttar Pradesh Police is now focusing more on interfaith marriages than any other issue. They have made more than one arrest per day since the controversial anti-conversion ordinance came into force a month ago.
Nearly a dozen FIRs have been lodged since the Prohibition of Unlawful Conversion of Religion Ordinance 2020, was notified on November 27. Total 35 people arrested in this regard.
Etah district Police were at the forefront in arresting people under the new law. They have arrested Eight persons, followed by the Sitapur district police with 7 arrests. Four from Greater Noida, three each from Shahjahanpur and Azamgarh, Two each from Moradabad, Muzaffarnagar, Binjor and Kannauj and One each from Bareilly and Hadoi also have been under the same law.
This Anti-conversion law aimed at curbing forcible religious conversions, including those for the sake of marriages. The Law stipulated a jail term of up to 10 years for violations. Under this law, a marriage can be declared “null and void”, If the conversion of the woman happens only for that purpose.
There is a strong criticism on this law that impinges upon the fundamental right to Choice and the right to change of faith. A PIL has been filed in the Allahabad High Court challenging the law and now it is for the court to decide.
The high court directed the state government to respond to the petition and file a counter affidavit by January 4. However, the court refused to grant any interim relief.
