Gujarat has become third BJP-ruled state after Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh to pass a bill to curb the so-called "love jihad".
The Gujarat government on Thursday cleared amendments to the Freedom of Religion Act, 2002, to provide for stringent punishment for forced religious conversions.
The bill provides for imprisonment of three to five years and a fine of up to ₹2 lakh fine for marriage by forced or lured religious conversion. The punishment will be even more stringent if the alleged victim is a minor, a woman, a Dalit or tribal.
Protesting against the move, Congress legislator from Ahmedabad Imran Khedawala tore a copy of the Bill in the House.
Also Read | 'Love jihad' law is not anti-Muslim, it is for all: Yogi Adityanath