– Raheem Khan
Jaipur: The Rajasthan government has approved nine new policies to boost industrial and economic growth, established the 7th State Finance Commission, and proposed ordinances to form development authorities in Bikaner and Bharatpur. Additionally, amendments to the Rajasthan Civil Services (Revised Pay) Rules, 2017, based on the Khemraj Committee’s recommendations, were approved alongside changes to various service rules. Most notably, the cabinet cleared The Rajasthan Prohibition of Unlawful Conversion of Religion Bill, 2024.
Law and Legal Affairs Minister Jogaram Patel announced that the proposed bill aims to prevent religious conversions by inducement, fraud, force, or undue influence. Patel emphasised the absence of specific legislation in Rajasthan to address illegal conversions, which prompted the cabinet to approve the proposal.
Once enacted, the law will impose stringent penalties on individuals or organisations involved in unlawful conversions. Offences under this law will be non-bailable and cognizable. Violators may face imprisonment ranging from 3 to 10 years. Any marriage conducted with the intent of illegal religious conversion may be declared invalid by a family court. Individuals choosing to convert voluntarily must inform the district collector at least 60 days in advance.
The minister pointed out that several states, including Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Gujarat, and Odisha, have already enacted similar laws.
Earlier efforts to enact such a law in Rajasthan faced opposition and technical hurdles. In 2006, then-Governor Pratibha Patil returned the bill. When it was reintroduced in 2008, it faced strong resistance from Congress and the CPI(M). Minister Patel acknowledged that the details of the current bill would become clear only after it is tabled in the assembly.
BJP MLA Kalicharan Saraf recently raised concerns in the assembly about rising incidents of conversion through fraud or coercion, including “love jihad”. However, the government reported only one registered case in Alwar district over the last three years, which was dismissed as false.
Despite potential opposition, the ruling government’s majority in the assembly ensures smooth passage of the bill. PCC Chief Govind Singh Dotasara, however, speculated that the bill might face a similar fate to previous attempts.
