Government’s Crackdown on Alleged Love Jihad and Land Jihad | Uttarakhand | 14 Sep 2024

Recently, the Uttarakhand government has initiated action against Love Jihad, Land Jihad, and forced conversions, amid rising concerns over demographic changes in the state.

Concerns over demographic changes were highlighted, especially in regions such as Purula, Dharchula, and Nandnagar.
Uttarakhand’s Population: Approximately 11.1 million, with Hinduism being the dominant religion (82.97%), followed by Islam (13.95%) and Christianity (0.37%) according to Census 2011 and 2023 projection estimates.
- While the state is experiencing urban migration and growth, concerns over demographic changes have heightened tensions, particularly in religiously sensitive areas.
The Uttarakhand Freedom of Religion Act, 2018:
- This law requires people who convert religions to declare that the conversion was not done through force, coercion, or other fraudulent means.
  - It also allows the authorities to declare marriages null and void if they were performed solely to convert a girl from one religion to another.
- Stringent Provisions: The Act makes unlawful religious conversion a cognizable and non-bailable offense, criminalizing conversion through force, greed, or fraud.
- Greater Punishment: Offenders can face a jail term ranging from a minimum of 3 years to a maximum of 10 years for illegal religious conversion.
- Higher Fines: A mandatory fine of Rs.50,000 is imposed, with offenders potentially paying up to Rs.5 lakhs as compensation to the victim