UP Love Jihad Law: A Cure Worse Than The Disease Itself

Kartikey Bajpai, LL.M (2019-21), University of Lucknow, Lucknow

ABSTRACT

Since the introduction of the term Love Jihad in political sphere by right wing political forces, the Anti Conversion laws such as the Uttar Pradesh Prohibition of Unlawful Conversion of Religion Act, 2021 along with many more similar laws in other states have been in controversy. This research paper seeks to answer the question as to whether the society needs the Anti Conversion laws or do we have enough legal ammunition to deal with the issue. The introduction of a new law has some pros and some cons, but which outcome outshines the other ultimately decides the utility of the law and forces the people to either adjust with the new change or throw away the law. In this paper, the researcher attempts to layout the utility of this law and tries to find out whether it does more harm than good.

Keywords: Love Jihad, Anti Conversion law, Uttar Pradesh, Fundamental Rights, Right to Privacy