Lucknow: In a significant legislative move, the Uttar Pradesh government, led by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), has passed amendments to its anti-conversion law, intensifying penalties and expanding the legal framework in what critics say targets Muslim communities under the banner of curbing “love jihad.”

According to Kashmir Media Service, the Uttar Pradesh Prohibition of Unlawful Conversion of Religion (Amendment) Bill, 2024, was presented by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and approved in today’s session. The amendment imposes life imprisonment and fines up to Rs 10 lakh for those found guilty of coercing religious conversions, marking a substantial increase from the previous maximum of 10 years in prison and Rs 50,000 fine.

The law now also allows “any person” to lodge complaints, a change from the earlier provision that limited this ability to the victims or their immediate family members. For cases of mass conversions, the penalties have escalated to 7-14 years of imprisonment and a minimum fine of Rs 1 lakh. These revisions have sparked widespread concern, with many viewing them as a move to further communal tensions in the region.