The Rajasthan Prohibition of Unlawful Conversion of Religion Bill, 2025

Source: Indian Express 

Introduction 

The Rajasthan government has recently tabled the Rajasthan Prohibition of Unlawful Conversion of Religion Bill, 2025, marking a significant legislative development in the state's approach to religious conversion. This new Bill replaces a similar piece of legislation introduced in February 2025 and represents a more comprehensive and stringent framework for regulating religious conversions. The legislation aims to address what the government perceives as fraudulent and coercive conversion practices while establishing detailed procedures for legitimate religious conversion. 

What are the key Provisions and Penalties Provided in the New Bill? 

• The 2025 Bill introduces substantially harsher penalties compared to its predecessor. Individuals involved in unlawful conversion now face imprisonment ranging from 7 to 14 years, accompanied by a minimum fine of Rs 5 lakh, representing a dramatic increase from the previous 1-5 year sentence and Rs 15,000 fine. 
• The legislation provides enhanced protection for vulnerable populations, imposing severe penalties of 10-20 years' imprisonment and a minimum Rs 10 lakh fine for the unlawful conversion of minors, differently abled persons, women, or members of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes.  
  • Mass conversions carry even steeper consequences, with sentences ranging from 20 years to life imprisonment and minimum fines of Rs 25 lakh. 
• A notable addition addresses foreign funding for conversions, establishing 10–20-year prison terms and Rs 20 lakh minimum fines for receiving money from foreign or illegal institutions for religious conversion purposes.  
  • Repeat offenders face the harshest penalties of 20 years to life imprisonment with minimum fines of Rs 50 lakh. 
• The Bill also grants authorities significant powers to seize or demolish property used for illegal conversions and permanently cancel licenses of institutions involved in such activities, while freezing their bank accounts and imposing Rs 1 crore penalties. 

How does the Bill Regulate Voluntary Religious Conversion? 

• The legislation establishes an exhaustive procedural framework for individuals seeking voluntary religious conversion. Prospective converts must submit detailed declaration forms to the District Magistrate 90 days in advance, with violations carrying 7–10 year prison sentences and minimum Rs 3 lakh fines. 
• The person facilitating the conversion must provide two months' advance notice to district authorities, facing 10-14 year imprisonment and Rs 5 lakh minimum fines for non-compliance. District Magistrates must publicly display conversion proposals and conduct time-bound inquiries within ten days if objections arise. 
• Post-conversion, individuals must file declarations within 72 hours and appear before the District Magistrate within 10 days to confirm their identity. These procedures represent a significant tightening from previous requirements, with shorter timeframes and heavier penalties designed to create a robust verification system. 
• Significantly, the Bill exempts "ghar wapsi" or return to one's ancestral religion from these stringent requirements, creating a preferential pathway for certain types of religious transitions. 

What are the Broader Implications and Criticisms of This Legislation? 

• The Bill has faced substantial political opposition, with Congress Leader of Opposition Tika Ram Jully arguing that it threatens Rajasthan's tradition of communal harmony for political gain. Critics point out that the government itself acknowledged no cases of "love jihad" have been registered in the state, questioning the necessity of such comprehensive legislation. 
• The expanded definition of "allurement" now includes portraying religious practices detrimentally or glorifying one religion over another, raising concerns about freedom of expression and religious discourse.  
• The provision allowing "any person" to lodge complaints, rather than limiting this right to aggrieved parties and relatives, could potentially lead to harassment and false accusations. 
• This legislation continues a pattern established during Vasundhara Raje's previous tenures, where similar anti-conversion bills faced significant opposition from human rights organizations and minority groups. The 2006 attempt was returned by then-President Pratibha Patil, while subsequent versions remained stalled at the central government level. 

Conclusion 

The Rajasthan Prohibition of Unlawful Conversion of Religion Bill, 2025, represents one of India's most stringent anti-conversion laws, with severe penalties and extensive procedural requirements. While the government justifies it as protection against fraudulent conversions, critics argue it may infringe upon religious freedoms and enable harassment of minorities. The Bill's differential treatment of "ghar wapsi" and its broad enforcement mechanisms reflect the complex balance between preventing coercion and preserving constitutional rights. As it moves toward passage, the legislation will likely influence similar laws nationwide and shape ongoing debates about religious conversion and minority rights in India.