Religious conversions: UP to punish culprits

Kanpur: Uttar Pradesh Chief Secretary Alok Ranjan said strict action will be taken against those responsible for coercive or incentive-based conversions.

"The stand of the state government is clear on the issue of conversions. We will not allow coercive or incentives-based conversions to be carried out," Ranjan said during a review meeting of Kanpur Zone on Thursday.

"Directions have been issued to all district magistrates and SSPs that if any person or group is found to be carrying out such conversions then action should be taken against them," Ranjan said.

Asked why action is not being taken against the people who are giving statements in favour of such conversions, Ranjan said, district authorities have been told to keep an eye out on such people and strict action will be taken against anyone who breaks a law.