The bill criminalises conversions by coercion, fraud, or inducement, allows annulment of marriages done solely for conversion and provides compensation to victims
JAIPUR – The Rajasthan Legislative Assembly on Tuesday passed the Rajasthan Illegal Religious Conversion (Prohibition) Bill, 2025, a law aimed at preventing unlawful religious conversions in the state. The legislation has been described as one of the strictest of its kind, carrying lifetime imprisonment for offenders and fines of up to one crore rupees.
The law also empowers courts to annul marriages that are carried out solely for religious conversion, and in cases of mass conversions, allows authorities to seize and demolish the involved property. Victims of illegal conversion are entitled to compensation through the fines collected as well as additional amounts determined by the court.
State Minister of Home Affairs, Jawahar Singh Bedham, defended the bill stating, “This legislation will help maintain peace and harmony in our society. Our Sanatan Dharma has always been generous, as reflected in Article 25 of the Constitution. But conversions carried out through deception, fear, or fraud are unacceptable under any circumstances.” He further emphasised that the law would open a path to social stability while ensuring that voluntary returns to one’s ancestral religion remain exempted.
The bill has drawn strong criticism from opposition parties, particularly the Congress, whose legislators staged a walkout during the discussion. A Congress spokesperson argued, “This law is likely to create tension and division in society.” The party pointed out that a similar bill was introduced earlier this year in February but was withdrawn after facing opposition, only to be reintroduced in a modified form. Critics have raised concerns that the law could be misused and may disproportionately affect vulnerable communities, potentially infringing on individual rights and freedoms.
Efforts to regulate religious conversions in Rajasthan date back nearly two decades. In 2006, then-chief minister Vasundhara Raje attempted to introduce a similar law, but it was returned by President Pratibha Patil after objections from human rights groups, minority organisations, and the Congress. A revised version of the bill remained pending with the central government in 2008.
In 2017, the Rajasthan High Court issued guidelines to prevent forced conversions, requiring young individuals wishing to convert to notify the district magistrate in advance and publicly declare their decision, reflecting judicial concern over coercion in religious matters.
The new bill classifies illegal conversions as those carried out through coercion, fraud, inducement, or undue influence. Offences under this law are cognisable, non-bailable, and to be heard in sessions courts, reflecting the seriousness of the crime. It also provides for the seizure and demolition of properties in cases of mass conversion, with the collected fines directed to the victims.
Marriages conducted solely for religious conversion purposes, whether before or after the ceremony, can be annulled by the courts. However, the law makes it clear that individuals voluntarily returning to their ancestral faith are not affected.
Human rights advocates have voiced concern about the possible implications of the law. A senior human rights lawyer in Jaipur, speaking on condition of anonymity, said, “The right to choose one’s religion is a fundamental freedom. Laws like this, if implemented without careful oversight, can lead to harassment of minorities and create fear in society.”
Civil society groups argue that while the government frames the law as a tool to maintain social order, its stringent provisions and potential misuse may spark communal tensions rather than prevent them.
The enactment of the Rajasthan Illegal Religious Conversion (Prohibition) Bill, 2025, marks a significant development in the state’s legislative and social landscape. While the government maintains that the law is intended to prevent fraud and coercion and uphold social harmony, opposition parties, human rights groups, and community leaders remain apprehensive about its implementation. As the law comes into effect, debates over religious freedom, the potential for misuse, and the impact on communal relationships are expected to continue, highlighting the delicate balance between governance, social order, and individual rights in Rajasthan.
