UP Anti-Conversion Law Effect? Maulana's Request For Mass Marriage By Converting Hindus To Islam Denied By Bareilly Administration

Ittehad-e-Millat Council (IMC) had sought permission from the Bareilly district administration to conduct mass marriage of those who converted to Islam. However, the permission has been denied.

Among 23 Hindus, who wanted to convert to Islam for niqah (Islamic marriage) were 15 women and eight men, as per IMC chief Maulana Tauqeer Raza Khan.

Khan wanted to conduct the marriages of five of these couples in the first phase on 21 July at 11 am in Khalil Higher Secondary School. The permission was sought for the same.

After not getting the permission, Khan has postponed the mass marriage programme. "The program will not be held without the permission of the administration," he told PTI.

The Hindu outfits had protested against the organisation of such programme. To maintain peace, the administration denied permission based on the report of the local police station.

"The people of Bareilly city and rural areas have been assured that no one will be allowed to play with the law and order," Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Anurag Arya had said.

Notably, an anti-conversion law is already in place in Uttar Pradesh. It terms the conversion done for the purpose of marriage as illegal.

It also mandates that anyone who wish to convert needs to give a declaration 60 days in advance, while who performs conversion has to give notice in 30 days advance.

Since Khan sought permission just 10 days before the event, he has been denied. Moreover, the focus of the police in the state is on peaceful organisation of the Kanwar yatra starting on 22 July.