Anti-Conversion Bill Introduced In Rajasthan Assembly, Seeks 10 Years Jail For Unlawful Conversion
The Rajasthan Assembly introduced an anti-conversion bill prohibiting religious conversions obtained through force, deception, or allurement.
An anti-conversion bill was introduced in the ongoing Budget Session of the Rajasthan Assembly on Monday. The Rajasthan Prohibition of Unlawful Conversion of Religion Bill, 2025 was introduced by Health Minister Gajendra Singh Khinvsar which will be passed following a debate during the session in the House.
The bill aims to prohibit unlawful conversion from one religion to another with the offence being cognisable and non-bailable and triable by a court.
The legislation seeks imprisonment of up to 10 years and a fine of up to Rs 50,000, according to a PTI report.
Under the bill, religious conversion by misrepresentation, force, undue influence, coercion, allurement or by any fraudulent means or by marriage will amount to an offence.
The bill proposes imprisonment for a term not less than one year but it may extend to five years with a fine of Rs 15,000.
In case of violation of rules in respect of a minor, a woman or a personn belonging to the Scheduled Caste or Scheduled Tribe, a person shall be punished with imprisonment for a term of two years which may extend to 10 years along with a fine of Rs 25,000.
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A jail term of three years extending up to 10 years and a fine of Rs 50,000 has been provisioned in case of mass conversion.
For those who desire to convert their religion shall have to give a declaration in the prescribed form at least sixty days in advance, to the District Magistrate.
As per the aims and objectives of the Bill, the Constitution of India guarantees religious freedom to all people which reflects the social harmony and spirit of India. The objective of this right is to sustain the spirit of secularism in India.
"In the recent past, many such examples have come to light where gullible persons have been converted from one religion to another by misrepresentation, force, undue influence, coercion, allurement or fraudulent means," it states further.
According to the Bill, the court shall also grant appropriate compensation payable by the accused to the victim of said conversion which might extend to a maximum of Rs 5 lakh. Provision of double punishment has been sought for repeat offenders in the Bill.
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