Rajasthan Law Minister: ‘State has vulnerable communities like tribals who lack awareness… Anti-conversion law will stop their deceitful conversion’
“Any person above 18 can wilfully convert following the due process of law... freedom of religion is a fundamental right. We are only trying to curb forceful conversions,” says Jogaram Patel.
Rajasthan Law and Legal Affairs Minister Jogaram Patel. (Photo: X) After a failed attempt by former Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje to enact an anti-conversion law during her tenure, the state government led by Bhajanlal Sharma tabled the Rajasthan Prohibition of Unlawful Conversion of Religion Bill, 2024, on Monday.
Rajasthan Law and Legal Affairs Minister Jogaram Patel said the proposal to table the Bill was approved by the Cabinet as currently the state does not have a law to prevent forced religious conversions.
In an interview with The Indian Express, Patel spoke about the impact of the law and penalties associated with violating it, among other issues. Excerpts:
*What is the need for such a law in Rajasthan?
Many vulnerable communities in the state like the tribals are not educated and lack awareness. Hence, they are being converted through illegal means. It is important to enforce this (proposed) law to stop the deceitful religious conversion of vulnerable people.
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