Former Allahabad High Court judge and UP

chief Justice Aditya Nath Mittal on Thursday submitted a draft report to CM

that seeks to bring a law on forced conversions. He analysed religious conversion cases in Amethi, Rae Bareli, Allahabad and Lucknow and studied debates in

assembly since 1952 that led to preparing the draft bill. He spoke to Rohan Dua. Excerpts

You submitted a draft report to CM Yogi Adityanath that seeks a bill on forced conversions. What promoted this move?

Religious conversions are taking place in Uttar Pradesh and these are not voluntary, but through coercion, misrepresentation or allurement. Allurement means providing jobs, including medical facilities.

So, have you mentioned any particular religion or practitioner in the draft report?

• Mostly Christians and to some extent Muslims. In neighbouring countries, people of majority faith are converting minorities. In India, it’s the opposite.

Can the Centre bring a law or states alone can introduce it?

Ten states have already implemented a law. Now, it’s our turn. Centre does not have jurisdiction over this. An attempt was made in 1954 through a private member’s bill against conversion. This failed. In 1960, another attempt was made. Again in 1967, the move failed. They were all private member bills. The then Union government did not want to legislate on the issue. The

does only has provisions for punishment to those hurting religious sentiments. IPC was enacted in 1860. Rajasthan was one of the first states to enact a law.

Were there specific instances that you considered?

We studied reports of debates in UP assembly from 1952. Questions were raised on religious conversion in assembly. We considered media reports. Conversions in Tiloi in Amethi, Gola Gokranath in Prayagraj, Rae Bareli and even Lucknow. There were no FIRs in this case as there is now a law. There was a case in UP of

girl who married a Muslim and was given triple talaq after she refused forced sex.

How did CM Yogi Adityanath react to the draft report?

Chief minister Yogi Adityanath always fought against love jihad and welcomed ghar wapsi.

So, what now?

The draft report will go to the Cabinet for approval before being tabled in Assembly.