Jaipur: Thousands of citizens, community leaders, and activists assembled at Shaheed Smarak in Jaipur on October 5 to demand the withdrawal of the Rajasthan Religious Conversion Bill, 2025. The protesters urged the Governor to reject the bill and called on the state government to end the harassment of minorities and criminalization of prayer meetings.
Organized under the banner of the Coordination Against the Religious Conversion Bill, more than 20 organizations participated, including the Jaipur Christian Fellowship and Rajasthan Christian Alliance. The gathering was one of the largest interfaith mobilizations in recent years, drawing Christians, Muslims, Buddhists, Sikhs, Dalits, and rights advocates.
Muhammad Nazimuddin, State President of Jamaat-e-Islami Hind Rajasthan, stated that the Rajasthan government introduced a black law, the “Religious Conversion Bill, 2025,” on September 9, 2025, which is unconstitutional and violates the fundamental rights guaranteed by the Constitution. He emphasized that this unconstitutional bill must be repealed. He also appealed to the attendees to unite and raise their voices against the government’s anti-constitutional policies.
Speakers condemned the bill as unconstitutional, asserting that it threatens the right to freedom of religion and belief. The central demand echoed through the rally: “Honourable Governor, please refuse to sign this unconstitutional bill and refer it to the President.”
A memorandum signed by hundreds of participants was submitted to the Governor. Another was presented to the Chief Minister, urging protection of minority rights and immediate action against those inciting hate. The memorandum listed 13 recent attacks in districts such as Alwar, Sri Ganganagar, Behror-Kotputli, Dungarpur, Bharatpur, Dholpur, and Hanumangarh. Protesters said these incidents were the outcome of a climate of impunity encouraged by the bill and by police inaction.
Speakers criticized the police for booking priests and devotees instead of protecting them from assaults during Sunday services. They demanded strict action against the perpetrators, particularly those involved in cases like FIR number 0783/2025 at Pratap Nagar police station.
Key speakers included Bishop Oswald Lewis, Pastor Vijaypal Singh, Father Edward Oliveira, Muhammad Nazimuddin (President, Jamaat-e-Islami Hind Rajasthan), Sawai Singh (Rajasthan Samagra Seva Sangh), Nisha Siddu (NFIW), and Sumitra Chopra (CPI-M). Leaders from Buddhist, Muslim, and Dalit groups also expressed solidarity, calling the bill an assault on constitutional freedoms.
Pastor Rajnish Jacob and Rakesh Joseph coordinated the event, presided over by Justin Boniface, Secretary of Jaipur Christian Fellowship. The protest ended with participants taking a collective pledge to uphold secular and constitutional values, followed by the national anthem.
Supporting organizations included PUCL, APCR Rajasthan, Rajasthan Buddhist Mahasangh, NFIW, AIDWA, Movement Against Repression, Young Buddhist Society of India, Jamaat-e-Islami Hind Rajasthan, Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind, Forum for Democracy and Communal Amity, CPI, CPI(M), SDPI, Rajasthan Nagrik Manch, Dalit–Muslim Unity Forum, Welfare Party of India, and Ambedkarite Party of India.
The Coordination Committee announced that state-wide rallies and signature campaigns would continue until the bill is withdrawn. Activists described the growing movement as a struggle to protect India’s pluralistic and democratic ethos from being undermined through discriminatory legislation.
