Uttarakhand tightens rules on religious conversions

Under the leadership of Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, the Uttarakhand Cabinet has approved the “Uttarakhand Freedom of Religion (Amendment) Act, 2025” to curb incidents of forced, fraudulent, or inducement-based religious conversions. The law introduces several stringent provisions to ensure severe punishment and heavy fines for offenders.

Stricter Definition of Inducement
Under the law, it will be considered a criminal offence if any person attempts religious conversion through:
• Offering money, gifts, or job opportunities
• Promising free education
• Deceiving with a marriage proposal
• Claiming to provide a better life
• Speaking ill of one religion while praising another
• Using social media or digital platforms for promotion

Marriage by Concealing Religion to be a Crime
Concealing one’s religion with the intent to marry will invite a punishment of 3 to 10 years of imprisonment and a fine of ₹3 lakh.

Severe Punishment and Fines
• General cases: 3–10 years imprisonment and ₹50,000 fine
• Involving a woman, child, SC/ST, or differently-abled person: 5–14 years imprisonment and ₹1 lakh fine
• Mass conversions: 7–14 years imprisonment and ₹1 lakh fine
• Accepting foreign funds: 7–14 years imprisonment and a minimum ₹10 lakh fine
• Conversions through threats, assault, or trafficking: 20 years to life imprisonment

Property Seizure and Investigation
Any illegal property acquired through religious conversion can be confiscated by the District Magistrate. The accused will have to prove the legitimacy of the property.

Protection for Victims
Victims will receive legal aid, shelter, maintenance, medical facilities, and assurance of confidentiality regarding their identity. The government will also formulate a special scheme for immediate victim support.

All Offences to be Non-Bailable and Cognizable
Police will have the authority to arrest without a warrant, and bail will only be granted if the court is satisfied that the accused is not guilty and will not commit the offence again.