<p>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.</p><h3>Stricter Definition of Inducement</h3><p>Under the law, it will be considered a criminal offence if any person attempts religious conversion through:</p><p> • Offering money, gifts, or job opportunities</p><p> • Promising free education</p><p> • Deceiving with a marriage proposal</p><p> • Claiming to provide a better life</p><p> • Speaking ill of one religion while praising another</p><p> • Using social media or digital platforms for promotion</p><h3>Marriage by Concealing Religion to be a Crime</h3><p>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.</p><h3>Severe Punishment and Fines</h3><p> • General cases: 3–10 years imprisonment and ₹50,000 fine</p><p> • Involving a woman, child, SC/ST, or differently-abled person: 5–14 years imprisonment and ₹1 lakh fine</p><p> • Mass conversions: 7–14 years imprisonment and ₹1 lakh fine</p><p> • Accepting foreign funds: 7–14 years imprisonment and a minimum ₹10 lakh fine</p><p> • Conversions through threats, assault, or trafficking: 20 years to life imprisonment</p><h3>Property Seizure and Investigation</h3><p>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.</p><h3>Protection for Victims</h3><p>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.</p><h3>All Offences to be Non-Bailable and Cognizable</h3><p>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.</p>
<p>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.</p><h3>Stricter Definition of Inducement</h3><p>Under the law, it will be considered a criminal offence if any person attempts religious conversion through:</p><p> • Offering money, gifts, or job opportunities</p><p> • Promising free education</p><p> • Deceiving with a marriage proposal</p><p> • Claiming to provide a better life</p><p> • Speaking ill of one religion while praising another</p><p> • Using social media or digital platforms for promotion</p><h3>Marriage by Concealing Religion to be a Crime</h3><p>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.</p><h3>Severe Punishment and Fines</h3><p> • General cases: 3–10 years imprisonment and ₹50,000 fine</p><p> • Involving a woman, child, SC/ST, or differently-abled person: 5–14 years imprisonment and ₹1 lakh fine</p><p> • Mass conversions: 7–14 years imprisonment and ₹1 lakh fine</p><p> • Accepting foreign funds: 7–14 years imprisonment and a minimum ₹10 lakh fine</p><p> • Conversions through threats, assault, or trafficking: 20 years to life imprisonment</p><h3>Property Seizure and Investigation</h3><p>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.</p><h3>Protection for Victims</h3><p>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.</p><h3>All Offences to be Non-Bailable and Cognizable</h3><p>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.</p>