The Rajasthan government led by Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma is set to introduce a revised anti-conversion Bill in the upcoming Monsoon Session of the State Assembly, featuring harsher punishments including life imprisonment and fines of up to Rs. 50 lakh for unlawful conversions.
Deputy Chief Minister Prem Chand Bairwa and Cabinet colleagues, including Law and Legal Affairs Minister Jogaram Patel, announced that the proposed legislation—the Rajasthan Prohibition of Unlawful Conversion of Religion Bill, 2025—will replace the earlier version tabled in February this year, which was withdrawn before debate.
Under the revised draft, individuals found guilty of unlawful religious conversion could face imprisonment ranging from seven to fourteen years and a minimum fine of ₹5 lakh. Conversions involving minors, women, persons with disabilities, or members of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes could attract imprisonment of 10–20 years along with fines starting from ₹10 lakh.
For cases involving mass conversions, the punishment may extend to 20 years of imprisonment and a fine of at least ₹25 lakh. Repeat offences could result in life imprisonment and fines up to ₹50 lakh, along with cancellation of the organisation’s registration, termination of government aid, and possible demolition of illegally acquired properties.
The Bill also specifies that inducements such as fraud, force, misrepresentation, marriage, or trafficking used to convert individuals will invite strict penalties of 20 years imprisonment and a minimum fine of ₹30 lakh. Importantly, returning to one’s ancestral religion will not be considered a conversion under this law.
Patel clarified that marriages entered into solely for the purpose of conversion will be declared void. The offences under the proposed law are categorised as cognisable and non-bailable.
The new draft introduces significantly more stringent penalties compared to the previous version, aiming to create a strong deterrent against forced or unlawful religious conversions in the state.
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