The Rajasthan Prohibition of Unlawful Conversion of Religion Bill, 2025, or the anti-conversion bill was tabled in the state Assembly on February 3 during the ongoing Budget Session. As per reports, under the provisions of the bill, any violation will be considered a cognizable and non-bailable offen🏅se, subject to court trial. It aims to curb illegal religious conversions and outlines severe penalties, including up to 10 years in prison and a fine♍ of up to Rs 50,000.
Introduced by Health Minister Gajendra Singh Khinvsar, the bill will be debated and passed by the Assemblღy during this session. The legislation criminalizes religious conversions conducted through misrepresentation, force, coercion, undue influence, allurement, fraudulent means, or marriage. Violators could face a prison term of one to five years, along with a fine of Rs 15,00𝐆0.
Details Of The Bill
If the conversion involves a minor, woman, or a person from the Scheduled Castes or Tribes,꧋ offenders could be sentenced to two to 10 years in pr❀ison, in addition to a fine of Rs 25,000. The bill also outlines severe penalties, including jail time of up to 10 years and a fine of Rs 50,000, in cases of mass conversion. Those wishing to convert their religion must submit a declaration to the District Magistrate at least 60 days in advance, as per the Bill’s provisions.
Reports also showed that the bill emphasizes tha🎐t the Constitution of India guarantees religious freedom, reflecting the nation’s commitment to social harmony and secula🌳rism. However, it notes that there have been numerous instances of individuals being converted through unlawful means, prompting the need for a dedicated statute in Rajasthan. Additionally, it mandates that courts award compensation to victims of illegal conversions, with a maximum payout of Rs 5 lakh. Repeat offenders would face double the punishment.
