The Anti-Conversion Bill, which aims to stop forced religious conversions, was approved by the Rajasthan cabinet on Saturday. In the upcoming session, the bill will be introduced in the state legislature.
Deputy Chief Minister Prem Chand Bairwa claims that in order to combat forced conversions, the bill calls for harsh punishments, such as one to five years in prison.
“People were lured into converting their religion, which they did not know. We analysed similar policies from other states as well. We have categorised the punishments accordingly so that forced religious conversions can be stopped,” Bairwa said.
Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma stated that the proposed bill will make it illegal for anyone or any group to convert someone to another faith by fraud, deception, coercion or undue influence.
Taking to X (formerly Twitter), he said, “Rajasthan government committed to stop illegal religious conversion. In the Cabinet meeting held in the Chief Minister’s Office today, it was decided to introduce ‘The Rajasthan Prohibition of Unlawful Conversion of Religion Bill-2024’ in the Assembly to stop attempts at conversion by inducement or fraud.”
Sharma noted, “The family court has the authority to declare the marriage invalid if it is entered into with the intention of converting someone illegally.”
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