Rajasthan’s Cabinet approves the Anti-Conversion Bill 2024, introducing strict penalties for forced religious conversions. The law aims to curb fraudulent practices.
Table of Contents
Introduction
Rajasthan, led by Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma, has taken a decisive step to address forced religious conversions by approving the Rajasthan Prohibition of Unlawful Conversion of Religion Bill 2024.
The bill, introduced in the upcoming Assembly session, includes strict penalties of up to 10 years imprisonment and categorizes related crimes as non-bailable, marking a significant move to curb fraudulent practices in the state.
The bill mandates individuals seeking religious conversion apply to the district magistrate 60 days in advance.
This step allows authorities to verify the voluntary nature of the conversion, ensuring no coercion or inducement is involved, as confirmed by Parliamentary Affairs Minister Jogaram Patel.
Deputy Chief Minister Prem Chand Bairwa highlighted that the legislation was drafted after reviewing similar laws in other states, including Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, and Madhya Pradesh.
He stated, “The punishments have been categorized to deter forced conversions effectively.”
Provisions also extend to invalidating marriages conducted solely for unlawful conversions, reinforcing the state’s commitment to preserving individual rights.
In addition to the anti-conversion bill, the Rajasthan Cabinet approved nine new policies to boost industrial and economic development.
Plans to establish development authorities in Bikaner and Bharatpur were also discussed.
These authorities are expected to enhance systematic urban growth.
Conclusion
Rajasthan joins several BJP-ruled states in implementing stringent anti-conversion laws to safeguard religious freedom.
Beyond addressing forced conversions, the state is steering towards growth with strategic economic policies.
The proposed law underscores Rajasthan’s pledge to uphold fairness and protect individual choices, setting a precedent for ethical governance.
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