The Uttarakhand Cabinet, led by Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, has approved the “Uttarakhand Freedom of Religion (Amendment) Act, 2025,” which introduces stringent new provisions to combat forced, fraudulent, or inducement-based religious conversions. The proposed bill seeks to amend the existing anti-conversion law, making it significantly harsher with severe penalties, including life imprisonment in certain cases.
Key Provisions of the Bill:
- Expanded Definition of Inducement: The bill broadens the definition of “inducement” to include a wide range of actions. This now covers offering money, gifts, or material benefits, promising employment or free education, making a marriage proposal with the intent to deceive, speaking ill of one religion while glorifying another, and hurting religious sentiments.
- Harsh Penalties: The new law proposes a tiered system of punishments based on the severity of the offense.
- General Cases: Imprisonment from 3 to 10 years and a fine of ₹50,000.
- Cases Involving Vulnerable Groups: Involving a woman, child, or a person belonging to the Scheduled Castes or Scheduled Tribes, the punishment will range from 5 to 14 years of imprisonment and a fine of ₹1 lakh.
- Serious Offenses: For severe cases, imprisonment can extend from 20 years to life, along with heavy fines.
- Mass Conversions: Mass conversions will be punishable with imprisonment of 7 to 14 years and a fine of ₹1 lakh.
- Ban on Digital Promotion: The bill also makes it a punishable offense to promote or incite conversions through social media, messaging apps, or any other online platform.
- Concealing Religion for Marriage: Concealing one’s religion with the intent to marry will also attract strict legal consequences.
- Property Seizure and Investigation: Any illegal property acquired through religious conversion can be confiscated by the District Magistrate, with the accused required to prove its legitimacy.
- Protection for Victims: The bill includes provisions for legal aid, shelter, maintenance, and medical facilities for the victims of illegal conversions. It also ensures the confidentiality of their identity.
According to the state government, the new legislation aims to protect the religious rights of citizens, prevent conversions through fraud or coercion, and maintain communal harmony. The bill is expected to be introduced in the state assembly during the upcoming monsoon session.
