By Shishir Prashant PrashantNews
The Uttarakhand Cabinet on Wednesday approved an amendment bill against religious conversion with strong provisions of life imprisonment and heavy fine.
A meeting of the state cabinet chaired by Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami approved the Uttarakhand Freedom of Religion (Amendment) Bill—2025. The bill is likely to be passed in the Vidhan Sabha session beginning on Aug 19 at Gairsain, the summer capital of Uttarakhand.
Under the bill, strict provisions have been added for banning promotional videos on conversion through various media platforms, officials said.
The bill has expanded the definition of inducement and includes gifts, cash/goods benefits, employment, free education, promise of marriage, hurting religious faith or glorifying another religion, all in the category of crime.
It has a provision to make punishable acts like promoting or inciting conversion through social media, messaging app or any online medium by banning digital means.
The bill provides for stringent punishments ranging from three to 10 years for general violations, five to 14 years for cases involving sensitive sections, and 20 years to life imprisonment and heavy fines for serious cases.
The bill includes strict penalties for marriages under false identity or by concealing religion, and provisions for the protection, rehabilitation, medical, travel and maintenance expenses of the victim.
The new law will protect the religious rights of citizens, prevent conversions through fraud, inducement or pressure, and maintain social harmony.