Jaipur: The People’s Union for Civil Liberties (PUCL) has strongly condemned the passage of the Rajasthan Prohibition of Unlawful Conversion of Religion Bill, 2025 in the state assembly. The bill was passed on September 9 without opposition participation, as Congress legislators boycotted the session in protest against what they described as unfair practices by the Speaker.
PUCL Rajasthan President Bhanwar Meghwanshi said that the bill undermines democratic processes and strips citizens of their core constitutional right to freedom of conscience. He announced that PUCL will appeal to the Governor and, if necessary, the President, urging them not to grant assent.
The group described the law as draconian, unconstitutional, and overly punitive. According to PUCL, Section 2 of the Bill defines terms like “allurement” and “coercion” in an excessively broad manner, criminalizing ordinary conversations about faith. Section 3 makes conversion punishable even when done voluntarily by consenting adults, while provisions on marriage restrict interfaith unions.
One of the most contentious clauses is the exemption for “ghar wapsi,” which allows reconversions to Hinduism without penalty. PUCL argued that this provision is vague and discriminatory, raising questions about whether it seeks to target Muslim, Christian, and Buddhist communities. The law prescribes severe punishments: seven to fourteen years in prison and fines up to five lakh rupees for unlawful conversions, with harsher sentences of ten to twenty years for cases involving minors, women, Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, or persons with disabilities. Mass conversions attract penalties of twenty years to life imprisonment with fines of at least twenty-five lakh rupees.
Additional provisions include mandatory inquiries by District Magistrates into every conversion, burdensome reporting requirements, and a reversal of the burden of proof, placing it on the accused rather than the prosecution. PUCL said these measures violate free speech, equality, and due process. PUCL General Secretary Dr. Anant Bhatnagar recalled that similar bills introduced in 2005 and 2008 were withheld from receiving presidential assent after sustained lobbying. He said PUCL will mount a similar campaign now, arguing that the legislation is unconstitutional and discriminatory.
By Dr. Raheem Khan
