Yogi-led UP Govt Cracks Down on Illegal Religious Conversions: 835 Cases Filed, 1,682 Arrested In 4 Years
The enforcement of Uttar Pradesh’s law against illegal religious conversions has led to significant legal action, but cases continue to emerge. The Uttar Pradesh Prohibition of Unlawful Conversion of Religion Act was incepted in 2020, and the law came into action in the year 2021. Since 2020, the state has registered 835 cases of illegal conversions, resulting in the arrest of 1,682 individuals as of July 31, 2024. The most significant actions have been reported in the Ghaziabad Commissionerate, Ambedkarnagar, Bhadohi, Saharanpur, and Shahjahanpur.
Director General of Police (DGP) Prashant Kumar stated that senior officers were closely monitoring the investigations into these cases to ensure thorough scrutiny and enforcement. As part of the ongoing crackdown on illegal religious conversions in the state, the investigation is still active in 17 cases, according to Kumar. He emphasised that police officers had been directed to act based on solid evidence, ensuring that those who used allurement and illegal means for conversion would not be spared. Action will be taken against them, he said.
To date, chargesheets have been filed in approximately 98% of the cases, amounting to around 818 cases, with 17 cases still under investigation. In total, 2,708 individuals have been named across the 835 cases. Authorities have exonerated 124 individuals who were found to have no involvement, while 70 others have surrendered to the courts. Four cases have already resulted in convictions.
DGP Kumar reassured that measures were in place to ensure no innocent person was wrongfully harassed. “All cases related to the Uttar Pradesh Prohibition of Unlawful Religious Conversion Act are being closely monitored at the headquarters level,” he further added.
In one notable case, Sitapur resident Jubrail, who was booked under the law in December last year, remains absconding, with his properties recently confiscated. Conversely, Afzal from Amroha has been sentenced to five years in prison and fined Rs 40,000.
Additionally, a recent case involves a Muslim woman from Lucknow who accused her husband Ashraf, a shrine head in Karnataka, of engaging in a love jihad campaign under the anti-conversion laws. This case has been transferred to Bengaluru for further investigation. Another case involves a couple, along with Brazilian tourists, who were charged with compelling people to convert to Christianity in Sitapur.
The government-aided Sam Higginbottom University of Agriculture, Technology and Science (SHUATS) in Prayagraj also faced legal challenges. The Fatehpur police have filed an FIR against eight university officials, including the vice-chancellor and two pro-vice-chancellors, for criminal conspiracy and violations under the Prohibition of Unlawful Conversion of Religion Act. The case has further intensified the scrutiny surrounding the university.
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