Rajasthan Assembly Passes Tough Anti-Conversion Bill Amid Protests
The Rajasthan Assembly made headlines on Tuesday by passing the Rajasthan Prohibition of Unlawful Conversion of Religion Bill, 2025. The move sparked major drama, with Congress MLAs boycotting the debate and staging loud protests inside the House. As soon as the bill got the green light, the session wrapped up and adjourned until Wednesday morning.
This new anti-conversion law targets unlawful religious conversions in Rajasthan, cracking down on tactics like force, coercion, allurement, or even using marriage as a pretext—often linked to the controversial "love jihad" issue. The government promises strict penalties to protect people from being misled. Offenders could face life imprisonment and fines as high as Rs 1 crore. It’s a big step for Rajasthan, which didn’t have such a law before, joining other states with similar anti-conversion measures.
Under the bill, authorities can seize or demolish properties used for mass conversions after a proper investigation. Organizations caught promoting these activities might see their buildings taken over and torn down following an administrative probe. Marriages done just to convert someone’s religion? Courts can declare them void, and any conversions tied to them will count as unlawful.
Even if someone wants to convert voluntarily, they can’t just do it on a whim. The rules make it clear: Individuals must apply to the local Collector or Additional District Magistrate at least 90 days in advance. Religious leaders handling the conversion need to notify officials 60 days ahead. Then comes a public notice, a chance for objections, and a hearing before approval. It’s all designed to ensure everything’s above board.
Break these rules, and you’re in trouble—face up to 7-10 years in jail and fines up to Rs 3 lakh. Organizations could lose their registration and pay up to Rs 1 crore. If foreign or illegal funds fuel these conversions, punishments get harsher: 10-20 years of rigorous imprisonment and fines starting at Rs 20 lakh. New converts must also show up before the Collector within 10 days to verify their identity and share full details.
The debate turned heated, with BJP MLA Gopal Sharma calling out Congress MLAs Rafiq Khan and Amin Kagzi (also known as Kagzi) by name. He urged anyone who’s converted to "return to their original religion." Congress skipped the discussion entirely, opting for slogans and protests against the government’s push.
Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma stood firm in defense of the bill. He explained that while the Constitution gives everyone the right to practice and propagate their religion, it doesn’t mean forcing conversions on others. "In recent years, we’ve seen innocent people tricked or pressured into converting," he said. "Rajasthan needed this law to stop misrepresentation, force, or fraudulent means, including through marriage." He pointed out that many other states already have anti-conversion laws, but Rajasthan was playing catch-up.
With this bill now law, Rajasthan steps up its fight against unlawful religious conversions, aiming to safeguard personal freedoms while curbing misuse. Stay tuned for updates as the opposition reacts and the law takes effect.
