Assam Plans Life Imprisonment for 'Love Jihad' Offenders

Guwahati: Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announced plans for new legislation that would impose life imprisonment for individuals convicted of 'love jihad.' Speaking at the extended State Executive meeting of the ruling BJP in Guwahati, Sarma defined 'love jihad' as a deceptive romantic relationship where one party conceals their religion or identity. The proposed law aims to penalize those who exploit interfaith relationships for ulterior motives, reflecting a growing trend among some Indian states to address concerns over religious conversions. This initiative follows similar proposals from Uttar Pradesh, where Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has suggested lifetime imprisonment for related offenses. The Uttar Pradesh government is also working to amend the UP Prohibition of Unlawful Religious Conversion (Amendment) Bill to strengthen legal measures against deceitful religious conversions. Sarma's announcement indicates a broader movement among state governments to regulate interfaith relationships and conversions. In addition to the 'love jihad' legislation, Sarma revealed a significant policy change regarding inter-religion land transfers in Assam. He stated that while buying and selling land between Hindus and Muslims cannot be entirely prohibited, any such transaction will now require the Chief Minister's approval. This new requirement aims to regulate land dealings between the two communities, reflecting the government's stance on maintaining religious boundaries in economic transactions. The proposed measures have sparked discussions about the implications for interfaith relationships and community dynamics in Assam, as the government seeks to address perceived threats to religious identity and social cohesion.