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The Madhya Pradesh Freedom of Religion Ordinance, 2020 promulgated by the state Governor
Anandiben Patel, the governor of Madhya Pradesh has decreed the Madhya Pradesh Freedom of Religion Ordinance, 2020. It has been published on the 9th of January, 2021 in the gazette notification. The Madhya Pradesh Cabinet had given way to the drafting of the ordinance on the 26th of December last year. The provisions of the ordinance are similar to those in the Uttar Pradesh ordinance. The Ordinance repeals the Madhya Pradesh Dharma Swatantrya Adhiniyam, 1968 by section 17 of the Ordinance.
According to section 13 of the ordinance, all the offences under it have been made cognizable, non-bailable, triable by the Sessions court.
Section 3 of the Ordinance says that conversion of a person by another person by way of “misrepresentation, allurement, use of threat or force, undue influence, coercion, marriage or any fraudulent means” is not permitted and such conversion would be be null and void.
The police are barred from conducting an investigation or inquiry, unless a written complaint is given by the converted person, or their parents or siblings, or any other blood relative of the converted person, or a person related by marriage or adoption or guardianship or custodianship, with leave of the Court. This has been laid under section 4 of the Ordinance.
Persons who want to convert their religion are, have to give a declaration form to the District Magistrate at least 60 days prior to the conversion. The form should clearly state that there was no form of undue influence, force, coercion, or allurement for the conversion and it was done out of the free will and consent of the person. These requirements have been stated under section 10 of the Ordinance.
Under the ordinance, a police officer under the rank of Sub Inspector is not allowed to investigate any offence laid by its provisions.
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