Explained: How Uttarakhand’s Anti-Conversion Law Will Change After New Amendments
The Uttarakhand cabinet, in a meeting chaired by Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Wednesday, approved the Uttarakhand Freedom of Religion (Amendment) Bill 2025.
The Uttarakhand Cabinet has approved key amendments to the state’s anti-conversion law. The new amendments include stringent provisions and tighten provisions against religious conversions through force, fraud or inducement. The proposed changes also increase penalties, expand the definition.
What is Uttarakhand’s Freedom of Religion Act
The Uttarakhand Freedom of Religion Act prohibits religious conversion through misrepresentation, force, undue influence, coercion, allurement or any fraudulent means. The law was first passed in 2018. The law makes religious conversion a cognisable and non-bailable offence, punishable by imprisonment of three to ten years and a fine of at least Rs 50,000. Additionally, the court may order the accused to pay compensation of up to Rs 5 lakh to the victim, according to the law.
What Are The New Amendments Approved By Uttarakhand Cabinet
The Uttarakhand cabinet, in a meeting chaired by Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Wednesday, approved the Uttarakhand Freedom of Religion (Amendment) Bill 2025. According to the state government, the proposed legislation will protect the religious rights of the citizens, prohibit conversion by fraud, inducement or pressure and maintain social harmony, reported PTI citing sources.
Here’s a breakdown of what the amendments entail, and how they could affect law enforcement in the state.
The amendment bill adds provisions such as ban on propaganda through digital medium and protection of victims, according to PTI.
In the new bill, the definition of ‘inducement’ has been expanded in the bill to include gifts, cash/goods benefits, employment, free education, promise of marriage, hurting religious faith or glorifying another religion, categorising all of them as crime.
It makes punishable the acts like promoting or inciting conversion through social media, messaging app or any online medium.
Further, there is a provision in the bill for three to 10 years imprisonment for general violation, five to 14 years in cases related to sensitive class and 20 years to life imprisonment in serious cases and heavy fines.
The proposed bill also makes a provision for strict punishment for marriage by creating fake identity or hiding religion, besides making a provision for protection, rehabilitation, medical, travel and maintenance expenses of the victims of illegal conversions.
source : https://www.timesnownews.com/india/uttarakhand-freedom-of-religion-amendment-bill-2025-how-anti-conversion-law-will-change-after-new-amendments-pushkar-singh-dhami-explained-article-152462593
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