Syllabus: GS2/Polity and Governance
Context
- The Uttarakhand Freedom of Religion (Amendment) Bill, 2025, was approved by the Uttarakhand State Cabinet.
| Stand of Central Government – In an affidavit filed in the Supreme Court in 2022 , the Union Ministry of Home Affairs said that the right to religion did not include the right to convert other people to a particular religion, especially through fraud, deception, coercion, allurement and other means. 1. The MHA reiterated the interpretation of Article 25 given by the Supreme Court in the Stainislaus judgement of 1977. (a). “Fraudulent or induced conversion impinged upon the right to freedom of conscience of an individual apart from hampering public order and, therefore, the state is well within its power to regulate/restrict it. – Other states with similar laws : Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh, Jharkhand and Uttarakhand— have their own anti-conversion law. |
Major Provisions of Uttarakhand Freedom of Religion (Amendment) Bill, 2025
- Ban on Digital Propaganda: Promoting or inciting conversion via social media, messaging apps, or any online medium is a punishable offence.
- The definition of inducement has been expanded in the bill to include gifts, cash/goods benefits, employment, free education, a promise of marriage, hurting religious faith, or glorifying another religion, categorizing all of them as a crime.
- Stricter Punishments:
- General violation: 3–10 years imprisonment
- Sensitive class cases: 5–14 years imprisonment
- Serious offences: 20 years to life imprisonment + heavy fines
- Marriage-related Provisions: It includes punishment for marriage by fake identity or hiding religion.
- Purpose of the Law as per the State Government:
- Protect the religious rights of citizens.
- Prohibit conversions by fraud, inducement, or pressure.
- Maintain social harmony.
- Victim support: Medical, travel, rehabilitation, and maintenance expenses.
Arguments Against the Law
- Constitutional Concerns: It violates fundamental rights guaranteed by the Indian Constitution, such as the right to freedom of religion and the right to privacy.
- Ambiguity in Definitions: The bill has been criticized for its ambiguous definition of inducement, which can lead to arbitrary interpretation and misuse by law enforcement agencies.
- Impact on Interfaith Relationships: The law could be misused to target interfaith couples, particularly those involving Hindu-Muslim relationships, by accusing one party of converting the other through coercion or fraud.
- Social Polarization: The enactment of such laws has the potential to exacerbate social tensions and polarize communities along religious lines, leading to increased communal disharmony.
Arguments in Favour of the Law
- Prevention of Forced Conversions: The primary objective of the Bill is to prevent forced conversions, such conversions often exploit vulnerable individuals, particularly women and members of marginalized communities, and the law is necessary to protect their rights and autonomy.
- Preservation of Social Harmony: Regulating religious conversions helps to maintain social harmony and prevent tensions between different religious communities.
- Deterrence Against Conversion Rackets: The Bill serves as a deterrent against conversion rackets and fraudulent religious organizations that exploit individuals for financial or other gains.
- Promotion of Religious Freedom with Responsibility: The bill is viewed as a balanced approach to safeguarding religious freedom while preventing abuses and ensuring that conversions are conducted ethically and transparently.
Way Ahead
- The Uttarakhand Freedom of Religion (Amendment) Bill, 2025, seeks to curb illegal religious conversions through fraud, inducement, or coercion.
- However, for it to uphold both social harmony and constitutional freedoms, it must be implemented with precision, safeguards, and transparency.
- Striking this balance will ensure that the law serves its intended purpose without undermining India’s pluralistic ethos.
Source: TH
Previous article
News In Short 13-August-2025
