Jaipur, February 3 (PTI) – The Rajasthan government introduced the Prohibition of Unlawful Conversion of Religion Bill, 2025 in the ongoing Budget Session of the state Assembly on Monday. The proposed legislation, aimed at curbing forced religious conversions, outlines strict penalties, including imprisonment of up to 10 years and a fine of up to ₹50,000.
Health Minister Gajendra Singh Khinvsar tabled the bill, which will be debated before being put to a vote in the House. The bill classifies religious conversions through misrepresentation, force, undue influence, coercion, allurement, fraud, or marriage as offences.
With similar laws already enacted in multiple states, Rajasthan has now moved towards implementing its own legal framework to regulate religious conversions.
The bill, once passed, will make unlawful religious conversions a cognizable and non-bailable offence, triable in court. The debate and subsequent voting on the bill are expected to take place in the coming days.
Health Minister Gajendra Singh Khinvsar tabled the bill, which will be debated before being put to a vote in the House. The bill classifies religious conversions through misrepresentation, force, undue influence, coercion, allurement, fraud, or marriage as offences.
Key Provisions of the Bill:
- Punishment: A minimum imprisonment of one year, extendable up to five years, along with a fine of ₹15,000for unlawful conversions.
- Stronger Penalties for Vulnerable Groups: If the victim is a minor, woman, or a person from the Scheduled Caste or Scheduled Tribe, the punishment increases to two to ten years with a fine of ₹25,000.
- Mass Conversion: Offenders involved in mass conversions will face three to ten years of imprisonment and a fine of ₹50,000.
- Mandatory Declaration: Individuals wishing to convert must submit a formal declaration to the District Magistrate 60 days in advance.
- Compensation for Victims: Courts can award compensation of up to ₹5 lakh to victims, payable by the accused.
- Repeat Offenders: Those convicted more than once will face double punishment.
Rationale Behind the Bill
The bill emphasizes that while the Indian Constitution guarantees religious freedom, it also aims to uphold secularism and protect individuals from fraudulent conversions. The bill states that several cases of forced conversions have been reported in the past, prompting the need for a dedicated law in Rajasthan.With similar laws already enacted in multiple states, Rajasthan has now moved towards implementing its own legal framework to regulate religious conversions.
The bill, once passed, will make unlawful religious conversions a cognizable and non-bailable offence, triable in court. The debate and subsequent voting on the bill are expected to take place in the coming days.
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