A new law to prevent religious conversion has been implemented in Rajasthan. The Governor has approved Bill 2025. Convicts face up to 14 years in jail, life imprisonment for repeat offenses, and a fine of up to 50 lakh rupees.
Jaipur: Governor Haribhau Bagde has approved the Rajasthan Prohibition of Unlawful Conversion of Religion Bill-2025. This Bill has now taken the form of a law and has been implemented. This law has been specifically enacted to prevent forced religious conversions.
The Law Department has issued its notification. Under this law, convicts can now face punishment ranging from a minimum of 5 years to life imprisonment and a fine of up to 50 lakh rupees. This law considers cases involving conversion through inducement, intimidation, or deceit as serious offenses.
Strict Punishment and Fines for Convicts
The new law includes several stringent provisions. Upon conviction in court, the accused faces imprisonment ranging from 5 to 14 years and a fine.
- If a person commits the offense a second time, they will face life imprisonment and a fine of up to 50 lakh rupees.
- For fraudulent conversion of minors, women, Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST), and specially-abled persons, there will be imprisonment of 10 to 20 years and a fine of 10 lakh rupees.
- Convicts involved in mass conversions will face imprisonment from 20 years to life and a fine of up to 25 lakh rupees.
- Conversion by taking money from foreign or illegal organizations will result in rigorous imprisonment of 10 to 20 years and a fine of up to 20 lakh rupees.
All offenses related to religious conversion will be non-bailable, and such cases will be heard directly in the Sessions Court.
Returning to One's Original Faith Will Not Be Considered Religious Conversion
A significant provision in the new law states that if a person returns to their original religion after converting, it will not be considered a religious conversion. This means that returning to one's original faith will not be an offense, and no restrictions will apply to it.
The objective of this provision is to safeguard religious freedom and the right to return to one's original faith. It clarifies that the law aims only to prevent forced conversions, not to restrict an individual's choice of religion.
Religious Conversion Law and Action in Rajasthan
The Rajasthan government has implemented this law because controversial cases of religious conversion have periodically emerged in the state. The BJP government passed it and sent it to the Governor, and it has now become a law.
Following the implementation of the law, strict legal action against convicts will be ensured. Under this, the police and judiciary will work together to ensure immediate investigation and justice in such cases.
