Rajasthan Cabinet approves Anti-Conversion Bill

The bill will prohibit anyone from converting someone’s religion by fraud or force.

Jaipur:

The Rajasthan Cabinet on Saturday approved the Anti-Conversion Bill, which aims to stop forced religious conversions.

The bill will now be presented to the state legislature in the upcoming parliamentary session.
According to Deputy Chief Minister Prem Chand Bairwa, the bill proposes severe punishments, including imprisonment of 1 to 5 years, to crack down on forced conversions.

“People were enticed to convert to their religion they did not know. We have looked at similar policies from other states as well. We have categorized the punishments accordingly so that forced religious conversions can be stopped,” Bairwa told reporters.

Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma said the bill will prohibit any person or institution from converting someone’s religion through misleading information, fraud, force or undue influence.

“Rajasthan government is committed to stop illegal religious conversion. In the Cabinet meeting held today in the Chief Minister’s office, it was decided to introduce the “Rajasthan Illegal Religious Conversion Prohibition Bill-2024” in the Assembly to stop attempts at conversion by inducement. or fraud,” the chief minister posted on X.

Sharma added: “The bill will prohibit any person or institution from converting a person’s religion through misleading information, fraud, force or undue influence. If a person marries for the purpose of illegal conversion, the family court shall have the right to declare such marriage invalid”.

Rajasthan Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Jogaram Patel said the decisions taken in the cabinet will set new dimensions of development, public welfare and prosperity in the state.

“These decisions will set new dimensions of development, public welfare and prosperity in the state. The cooperation and dedication of all of us is essential in this determination to make Rajasthan the leading and prosperous state of the country. Come on, let’s ensure our participation. in this campaign of Rising Rajasthan with social harmony and cultural upliftment,” he wrote on X.