‘If someone marries to convert a person’s religion…’: Rajasthan to introduce Bill against forceful conversions, in footsteps of other states

“The Rajasthan Prohibition of Unlawful Conversion of Religion Bill-2024 will be tabled in the upcoming session of the Assembly to stop attempts of conversion by inducement or fraud. At present there is no specific law in the state regarding stopping illegal conversion, so its proposal was approved after consideration in the cabinet meeting,” said Law and Legal Affairs Minister Jogaram Patel.

He said that after this bill becomes a law, no person or institution will be able to convert a person by using misrepresentation, fraud, force, undue influence etc. If any person or institution carries out such an act, they will be severely punished.

“If someone marries with the intention of converting a person’s religion against the law, then the family court can declare such marriage invalid. In this law, the crime will be non-bailable and cognizable. In several other states, laws already exist to prevent forced conversion and Rajasthan will also follow their footsteps,” said Patel.

Patel said the bill proposes that if someone wants to convert to another religion, the person will have to give an application to the district magistrate 60 days in advance.

“The district magistrate will examine whether or not it is a forceful conversion,” he said, adding if it is found that the conversion is not forced or under any temptation, then the applicant will be allowed to go ahead with it.

In the meeting, several important decisions were also taken, including approval of 9 new policies to accelerate the industrial and economic development of the state, formation of 7th State Finance Commission, bringing ordinance for the formation of development authorities in Bikaner and Bharatpur, amendment in Rajasthan Civil Services (Revised Pay) Rules-2017 in accordance with the recommendations of Khemraj Committee, amendment in various service rules.