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CV NEWS FEED // In Rajasthan, India, a state governed by the pro-Hindu Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), church leaders and religious liberty advocates have criticized the proposed enactment of a stringent anti-conversion law, calling it “politically motivated” and a threat to religious freedom and harmony, according to Union of Catholic Asian (UCA) News.
The state government, led by Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma, recently approved a draft bill aimed at preventing allegedly “forced” religious conversions. If passed, Rajasthan will become the 12th Indian state to implement such legislation, which critics say unfairly targets religious minorities, especially Christians in tribal areas.
Parliamentary Affairs Minister Jogaram Patel announced that the bill, which includes provisions for up to 10 years of imprisonment for proven cases of forced conversion, will be tabled during the upcoming legislative session. Under the proposed law, anyone wishing to convert to another religion must notify the district magistrate at least 60 days in advance. Patel emphasized the government’s focus on tribal areas, alleging high rates of conversions in these regions.
The BJP’s push for anti-conversion laws has drawn widespread criticism from human rights groups, who say these statutes are often used to marginalize and target religious minority communities.
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UCA News reported that Church leaders and religious liberty activists have condemned the bill. Bishop Joseph Kallarackal of Jaipur said it is a “sensitive issue” requiring consultation with legal experts and religious leaders.
“We will examine in detail the likely impact of the proposed law,” the Bishop told UCA News.
Christian activist Minakshi Singh decried the proposed legislation as unconstitutional.
“Under Article 25 of the Indian Constitution, people are free to profess, practice, and propagate any religion of their choice,” she said.
Singh emphasized that Indian Christians do not engage in conversions through force or enticement because faith is a matter of personal choice. She warned that the law could foster mistrust and division, potentially harming India’s religious harmony.
A.C. Michael, president of the Federation of Catholic Associations of the Archdiocese of Delhi, also criticized the bill, stating that it was driven by political motives. Michael pointed out that while similar anti-conversion laws exist in 11 other BJP-ruled states, there has not been a single conviction under these statutes in Indian courts.
“These laws often serve as tools to intimidate and harass religious minorities,” he argued.
Anti-conversion laws, often misleadingly titled “Freedom of Religion Acts,” are already in force in states such as Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, and Karnataka. These laws are widely criticized for being weaponized against Christians and Muslims, with little evidence of widespread forced conversions.
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Rajasthan had previously enacted an anti-conversion law in 2008 during a BJP administration. However, UCA News reported, the law could not be implemented as it failed to secure approval from the state’s governor and the president of India at the time, when Congress held national power.
According to India’s 2011 census, Christians constitute only 0.14% of Rajasthan’s population of 68.5 million. The vast majority of people in Rajasthan are Hindus. Despite their small demographic presence, Christians have increasingly faced accusations of forced conversions, often accompanied by harassment and violence. Activists argue that these claims are baseless and driven by political agendas.
Singh and Michael both expressed concerns that the new law could deepen social tensions and exacerbate divisions in Rajasthan.
“Such measures undermine India’s pluralistic ethos and constitutional guarantees of religious freedom,” Singh added.
According to UCA News, in Rajasthan, as in other states, Christians worry that the proposed law will not only curtail their constitutional rights but also stoke hostility against their already vulnerable community.
