Anandiben Patel The Governor of Madhya Pradesh, Anandiben Patel has promulgated The Madhya Pradesh Freedom of Religion Ordinance, 2020. The ordinance has been published in the gazette notification (dated 09th January 2021). It may be noted that the Madhya Pradesh Cabinet on 26 th December gave its nod to the draft ordinance which has several provisions that are similar to the ordinance issued by Uttar Pradesh Government recently . Importantly, every offence committed under the Ordinance has been made cognizable, non-bailable and triable by Court of Sessions [Section 13 (1)] . Also, the Ordinance has repealed the Madhya Pradesh Dharma Swatantrya Adhiniyam, 1968 and rules made thereunder [Section 17 (1)] . Preamble The preamble to the Ordinance Reads – "An Ordinance to provide freedom of religion by prohibiting conversion from one religion to another by misrepresentation, allurement, use of threat or force, undue influence, coercion, marriage or any fraudulent means and for the matters connected therewith or incidental thereto." Key Provisions in the Ordinance Prohibition of conversion from one religion to another. [SECTION 3] No person shall convert or attempt to convert, either directly or otherwise, any other person by use of misrepresentation, allurement, use of threat or force, […]
