Rajasthan Assembly Passes Tough Anti-Conversion Bill to Protect Vulnerable Groups
In a big move today, the Rajasthan Legislative Assembly has passed the Rajasthan Prohibition of Unlawful Conversion of Religion Bill, 2025. Lawmakers approved it through a voice vote, aiming to stop forced or fraudulent religious conversions and promote social harmony.
Minister of State for Home Jawahar Singh Bedham strongly defended the new anti-conversion law. He explained that it safeguards vulnerable people in society, like women, minors, and those from Scheduled Castes and Tribes. "Freedom of religion is a constitutional right under Article 25, but it doesn’t mean using deceit, fear, fraud, or inducement to convert someone," Bedham said. He added that Dr. B.R. Ambedkar once highlighted how religion is personal, but misusing it to stir unrest is harmful.
The bill brings strict punishments for illegal conversions. For instance, converting someone through deceit can lead to 7-14 years in jail and a Rs 5 lakh fine. If the victim is a woman, minor, Scheduled Caste, Scheduled Tribe, or Divyaangjan (person with disability), the penalty jumps to 10-20 years imprisonment and at least Rs 10 lakh fine. Mass conversions could mean 20 years to life in prison plus a Rs 25 lakh fine.
Other tough measures include 10-20 years rigorous imprisonment and Rs 20 lakh fine for using foreign or illegal funds to push conversions. Conversions involving threats to life or property, fake marriages, or trafficking face 20 years to life and Rs 30 lakh fine. Repeat offenders might get 20 years to life with a Rs 50 lakh penalty. The law also allows seizing properties used for such illegal activities and cancels marriages done just for conversion purposes.
People who convert voluntarily must notify the District Magistrate 90 days ahead, or face 7-10 years in jail and Rs 3 lakh fine. Religious leaders performing conversions need to give 60 days’ notice, or they could get 10-14 years imprisonment and Rs 5 lakh fine.
Bedham pointed out that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said every citizen enjoys religious freedom, but no one can force or lure others into conversion. He stressed that weaker sections—Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, women, and the poor—often become easy targets. Courts, including the Supreme Court and High Courts, have repeatedly called forced conversions illegal and a danger to society, calling it a violation of fundamental rights rather than true religious propagation.
Rajasthan isn’t alone in this. States like Arunachal Pradesh (1978), Andhra Pradesh (2007), Uttarakhand (2018), Himachal Pradesh (2019), Uttar Pradesh (2021), Karnataka (2021), and Haryana (2022) already have similar anti-conversion laws. Rajasthan itself had one in 2008, but under Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma’s leadership, this new version is even stronger to curb forced religious conversions.
The government is already acting fast in places like Alwar and Banswara, with quick arrests and legal steps against those involved in such cases. This anti-conversion bill in Rajasthan could set a new benchmark for protecting social harmony across India.
