The Madhya Pradesh government intends to make a provision to slap the death penalty on those involved in the religious conversion of minor girls, Chief Minister Mohan Yadav said on the occasion of International Women’s Day.
Addressing a government event in Bhopal on Saturday (March 8, 2025), Mr. Yadav said that the provision of death penalty for the religious conversion of girls will be made along the same lines as the punishment for raping minors.
“The government is very strict against those who rape innocent daughters. A provision for the death penalty has been made in this regard as our government is not going to spare those who rape girls by force or by luring. We don’t want to give them a chance to live at any cost. Besides this, a provision for capital punishment is also being made under the Madhya Pradesh Freedom of Religion Act for those who religiously convert [girls],” Mr. Yadav said.
‘Strict action’
Later in the evening, the State government issued a statement saying that strict action would be taken against those who “forcefully or by luring people to marry or convert their religion”.
“Chief Minister Dr. Yadav said that the government will take the strictest steps against those who misbehave with girls, women and daughters. The culprits will be given death penalty. No culprit will be spared under any circumstances. Religious Freedom Act is in force in Madhya Pradesh to take strict action against those who forcefully or by luring people to marry or convert their religion,” the government statement said.
This story was originally published in thehindu.com. Read the full story here.
