India court blocks arrest of man accused of violating contentious ‘love jihad’ law News
Free-Photos / Pixabay
India court blocks arrest of man accused of violating contentious ‘love jihad’ law

India’s Allahbad High Court ruled Friday that no coercive action may be taken against a man accused of violating the Uttar Pradesh ordinance on Religious Conversion. The High Court also indicated that the matter will be heard with a petition challenging the constitutionality of the statute. By preventing no “coercive action,” the Court has prevented arrest and detainment of the Petitioner.

The accusation against the petitioner is that he attempted to convert a woman to his religion so that he could marry her. Under the Uttar Pradesh ordinance on Religious Conversion law, passed just last month, religious conversions for the purpose of marriage must be approved by a magistrate. Failure to comply may result in a 10-year jail sentence.

Supporters of the new ordinance, largely Hindu nationalists, have said that the law is designed to prevent so-called “love jihad,” an inflammatory term used to describe when Muslims convert Hindus to Islam in order to marry them. Critics of the law describe it as an assault on religious freedom, and an abuse of power by the increasingly nationalistic Hindu majority against the Islamic minority. In less than a month since the law has been enacted, over 30 arrests have been made for violations of the ordinance. The Allahabad High Court will soon hear a challenge to the constitutionality of the ordinance.

Did you know that about 30 percent of charitable giving happens in December?
It’s an important month for nonprofits like JURIST that rely on donor support. Your gift of $50, $100, $200, or $500 will help JURIST to keep its legal news and commentary free and accessible to a worldwide public.

Thanks for your support!

DONATE NOW