Jaipur: A coalition of civil society organisations has strongly condemned the Rajasthan Prohibition of Unlawful Conversion Bill, 2025, describing it as unconstitutional, draconian, and discriminatory against minorities. The statement, released at Vinoba Gyan Mandir, Jaipur, warned that the law undermines fundamental rights guaranteed under Articles 14, 19, 21, and 25 of the Indian Constitution.
The joint statement outlined incidents of violence against Christians in multiple districts, including Alwar, Kotputli-Behror, Dungarpur, Sri Ganganagar, Hanumangarh, and Jaipur, following the bill’s introduction and passage in the State Assembly. Reports highlighted police complicity in attacks, arbitrary arrests of pastors, and lack of enforcement against perpetrators affiliated with right-wing groups such as Bajrang Dal and VHP.
The coalition criticised the bill’s provisions, which include seven to twenty-year imprisonment for alleged allurement in religious conversion, high financial penalties, and potential forfeiture of property. The law exempts conversions to ancestral religions, reinforcing Hindu supremacy. Public mass conversions are restricted, and all conversions require advance permission from authorities, including notice to the Collector, violating privacy rights.
The organisations announced a coordinated strategy to prevent the bill’s implementation. They plan to meet the Governor to urge referral to the President, hold public rallies, conduct signature campaigns, engage in social media advocacy, and pursue legal challenges in the Supreme Court.
Leaders emphasised that the law creates a two-tier system of governance, promotes fear among minority communities, and threatens religious freedom. They called for urgent action against attackers, fair investigations, and accountability for police officers who failed to protect citizens.
By Dr. Raheem Khan
