The Rajasthan government introduced a bill to prevent religious conversions by force, fraud or inducement. The first attempt to bring an anti-conversion law in Rajasthan was made in 2006, but it was returned by the President due to protests. In 2017, the Rajasthan High Court issued guidelines to prevent forced conversions in the absence of a law. The new bill is modeled on the lines of anti-conversion laws already existing in states like Madhya Pradesh and Uttarakhand.
Religious Conversion
- Adoption of a particular religious denomination by a person and abandoning others.
- It represents a change in religious identity.
Process of Religious Conversion
- Adoption of one sect by a person and abandoning others.
- In many cases, it is marked by special rituals (Rivkas).
- Religious conversion represents a change in a person’s faith and identity and is sometimes officially acknowledged through religious rituals.
Rajasthan Prohibition of Illegal Conversion Bill
- 2006: First attempt to bring anti-conversion law in Rajasthan, but it was struck down by the President.
- 2017: Rajasthan High Court issued guidelines to prevent forced conversions.
- 2024: The new bill is modelled on the lines of anti-conversion laws of states like Madhya Pradesh and Uttarakhand.
Key Provisions
Illegal Conversion
- Conversion through force, inducement (cash, benefits etc.), fraud, or pressure will be considered illegal.
- The accused will have to prove that the conversion was not done illegally.
- Right to file FIR: Parents, siblings or other close relatives of the victim can lodge a complaint.
Penalties and punishment
- General illegal conversion: 1 to 5 years in jail, ₹15,000 fine.
- Conversion of minor, woman or SC/ST: 2 to 10 years imprisonment, ₹25,000 fine.
- Mass conversion: 3 to 10 years imprisonment, ₹50,000 fine.
- Punishment will be doubled for repeat offenders.
- All crimes will be cognizable and non-bailable.
Process of voluntary conversion
- The person converting will have to submit a declaration to the District Magistrate (DM) 60 days in advance.
- DM will have to be informed 1 month before the religious conversion ceremony.
- The person conducting the ceremony will also have to inform the DM 30 days in advance.
- The DM will investigate what is the intention and purpose of religious conversion.
- After religious conversion, the identity of the person, previous and current religious information will have to be registered with the DM.
- Within 21 days of the declaration, the person will have to appear before the DM and get the verification done.
- Rajasthan Illegal Religious Conversion Prohibition Bill and status of other states:
- If this bill is passed, Rajasthan will join the 12 states where anti-conversion law is in force.
Features
- In these states, conversion through force, fraud, greed, or pressure is legally prohibited.
- By joining this list, Rajasthan will also become a state implementing strict laws and penal provisions.