The Uttar Pradesh assembly has passed an amendment bill to strengthen the state's anti-conversion law, making all offenses under the Act non-bailable. The revised bill raises the maximum penalty to life imprisonment and a fine of ₹5 lakh for those found guilty. 

The amended Uttar Pradesh Prohibition of Unlawful Conversion of Religion Bill, 2024, stipulates that if an individual threatens, attacks, marries, promises to marry, conspires, or traffics a woman or minor with the intent of conversion, their offense will be classified as a severe crime. 

The amended bill stipulates that individuals convicted under the anti-conversion law can face imprisonment ranging from 20 years to life. Previously, the maximum punishment was 10 years in prison and a ₹50,000 fine. 

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Suresh Khanna introduced the bill in the House on July 29. Under the new provisions, any individual can now file an FIR in cases of conversion, expanding the scope beyond the victim, their parents, or siblings. The law allows anyone to report such incidents to the police in writing. 

Additionally, cases under this law will be adjudicated exclusively in Sessions Courts. Bail applications will not be considered without providing an opportunity for the public prosecutor to be heard. 

Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath spearheaded this initiative to combat what is referred to by some Hindu organisations as 'love jihad,' a term used to describe alleged cases of coerced conversion through romantic relationships. In response to concerns about forced religious conversions, an ordinance was issued in November 2020 to address these issues.  

Subsequently, the Uttar Pradesh Prohibition of Unlawful Conversion of Religion Act-2021 was enacted after receiving approval from both houses of the Uttar Pradesh Legislature.  

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