The Bhajan Lal Sharma-led government in Rajasthan has cleared a revised version of its proposed anti-conversion law, introducing stricter punishments, including life imprisonment and fines up to ₹50 lakh in certain cases. The Rajasthan Prohibition of Unlawful Conversion of Religion Bill, 2025, will be placed before the Assembly in the Monsoon Session starting Monday.
Fresh Draft to Replace Earlier Bill
Law and Legal Affairs Minister Jogaram Patel, addressing the media alongside Deputy Chief Minister Prem Chand Bairwa and Cabinet Minister Sumit Godara, confirmed that the earlier draft Bill tabled in February would be withdrawn. The new version, approved by the Cabinet on Sunday, prescribes far more severe penalties. Rajasthan currently has no dedicated legislation on religious conversions.
Patel underlined that the law would not apply to individuals returning to their “ancestral faith.” Referring to this as ghar wapsi, he said such cases would be exempt from penal provisions.
What Legal Action would be Taken?
Under the new Bill, unlawful religious conversions will carry a jail term ranging from seven to 14 years along with a minimum fine of ₹5 lakh, a sharp increase from the one to five years and ₹15,000 penalty proposed in the earlier draft. Conversions involving minors, women, persons with disabilities, or members of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes will invite imprisonment of 10 to 20 years and a fine of at least ₹10 lakh. For mass conversions, the punishment has been set at 20 years to life imprisonment, coupled with a fine of not less than ₹25 lakh.
The legislation also targets financial backing, stipulating 10 to 20 years in jail and a minimum fine of ₹20 lakh for those receiving foreign or unauthorized funds to facilitate conversions. In cases linked to marriage, inducement, or trafficking of women, offenders could face a minimum of 20 years in prison, extendable to life imprisonment, along with a fine of ₹30 lakh. Additionally, any marriage conducted solely for the purpose of unlawful conversion will continue to be treated as void under the law.
In cases of repeated offences, the Bill proposes life imprisonment along with a minimum fine of ₹50 lakh. Organisations involved may face cancellation of registration, withdrawal of state grants, and confiscation or even demolition of properties linked to illegal conversions after due investigation. Like its earlier version, the proposed law places the burden of proof on the accused. All offences under the Bill will be classified as cognizable and non-bailable.
