India: Rajasthan Set to Pass Anti-Conversion Law, “Formidable and Controversial”

by Karen Faulkner, Worthy News Correspondent

(Worthy News) – In a move that appears to violate India’s constitutionally protected right to freedom of religion, the Hindu-nationalist-led state of Rajasthan has approved an anti-conversion law that provides prison terms for anyone who “unduly influences” a person to change their religion and requires citizens who want to change their faith to inform authorities 60 days in advance, International Christian Concern (ICC) reports.

Rajasthan will become India’s 12th state to have anti-conversion legislation if the bill is passed by the state legislature during the winter assembly session. Notably, such laws in other Indian states have been abused to severely harass and persecute Christians.

Titled the Rajasthan Prohibition of Unlawful Conversion of Religion Bill 2024, the anti-conversion law provides that people found to have suffered unlawful conversions can be compensated up to 500,000 Indian rupees (about $590), while offenders may be imprisoned for up to 10 years, ICC explains in its report.

“It also stipulates that any individual who wishes to convert to another religion must notify the district authority at least 60 days in advance. Then, a notice of 30 days must be given for any ceremony for the conversion. Then again, after the conversion, the person concerned must inform the collector through an affidavit within 60 days,” ICC reports.

“These three layers of the conversion process make it formidable and controversial and could also likely contradict the country’s constitutional right to freedom of religion,” ICC notes.

The Indian states that already have anti-conversion laws in place are Arunachal Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, Uttarakhand, and Uttar Pradesh.

Ruled by the Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party since 2014, India ranks 11 on the Open Doors World Watch List 2024 of the top 50 countries where Christians are persecuted.

Copyright 1999-2025 Worthy News. This article was originally published on Worthy News and was reproduced with permission.

More Worthy News

Israel Eliminates Hezbollah, IRGC Quds Force Operative in Beirut Strike
Israel Eliminates Hezbollah, IRGC Quds Force Operative in Beirut Strike
Tuesday, April 1, 2025

In a joint statement, the IDF, Shin Bet, and Mossad confirmed an overnight airstrike in Beirut killed a Hezbollah and Iranian IRGC Quds Force operative who coordinated with Hamas to carry out an imminent attack on Israeli civilians. This marks Israel’s second strike in Beirut in four days.

Turkish Forces Taking Over Syria Airbase Worrying Israel
Turkish Forces Taking Over Syria Airbase Worrying Israel
Tuesday, April 1, 2025

Turkey’s military rushed to take over Syria’s Tiyas air base, also known as T4, to deter Israeli strikes in Syria, well-informed Arabic sources confirmed Tuesday.

Republicans Pad U.S. House Majority With Two Florida Special Election Wins
Republicans Pad U.S. House Majority With Two Florida Special Election Wins
Tuesday, April 1, 2025

Republicans padded their slim U.S. House majority Tuesday after winning two Florida special elections to replace a pair of members who resigned their seats.

China’s Military Surrounds Taiwan After Trump Comments (Worthy News Focus)
China’s Military Surrounds Taiwan After Trump Comments (Worthy News Focus)
Tuesday, April 1, 2025

China staged massive war games near Taiwan Tuesday, just weeks after U.S. President Donald J. Trump declined to commit military support for the territory.

Pipeline Fireball In Malaysia Injures Many (Video)
Pipeline Fireball In Malaysia Injures Many (Video)
Tuesday, April 1, 2025

At least 145 people were injured, and many rushed to hospitals after a massive fire broke out at a natural gas pipeline near Malaysia’s largest city officials confirmed.

Indonesia Christians Facing Muslim Opposition
Indonesia Christians Facing Muslim Opposition
Tuesday, April 1, 2025

Devoted Christians in Indonesia say several churches are facing growing opposition in the mainly Muslim nation as local leaders and residents are cracking down on Christian gatherings in at least three regions.

India Christians Fear Execution For Conversion
India Christians Fear Execution For Conversion
Tuesday, April 1, 2025

Christians have appealed for prayers after the chief minister of India’s central state of Madhya Pradesh announced plans to impose the death penalty on those convicted “of forced or fraudulent religious conversions.”