Uttarakhand Freedom of Religion (Modification) Bill, 2025

Key Features of the Uttarakhand Freedom of Religion (Amendment) Bill, 2025

Prohibition of Digital Promotion: Encouraging or urging conversion through social media, messaging applications, or any online platform is a punishable crime.

The bill has broadened the definition of inducement to encompass gifts, cash or goods advantages, jobs, free education, marriage promises, undermining religious faith, or promoting another religion, classifying all these as criminal acts.

Harsher Penalties:

General offense: 3–10 years of incarceration

Classified cases of sensitivity: 5 to 14 years of incarceration

Grave crimes: 20 years to life in prison + substantial penalties.

Provisions Regarding Marriage: It encompasses penalties for entering into marriage under a false identity or concealing one's religion.

Objective of the Legislation according to the State Government:

Safeguard the religious freedoms of individuals.

Ban conversions through deception, persuasion, or compulsion.

Preserve communal peace.

Support for victims: Medical, transportation, recovery, and upkeep costs.

Counterarguments to the Legislation

Constitutional Issues: It infringes upon essential rights protected by the Indian Constitution, including the right to religious freedom and the right to privacy.

Vagueness in Definitions: The legislation has faced criticism for its unclear definition of inducement, potentially resulting in arbitrary interpretation and misuse by law enforcement bodies.

Effects on Interfaith Relationships: The legislation might be exploited to target interfaith pairs, especially those in Hindu-Muslim unions, by alleging that one individual converted the other through coercion or deception.

Social Division: The implementation of these laws can intensify societal conflicts and divide communities based on religious affiliations, resulting in heightened communal discord.

Reasons Supporting the Legislation

Prevention of Coerced Conversions: The main aim of the Bill is to stop coerced conversions, which frequently take advantage of vulnerable people, especially women and those from marginalized groups, and the legislation is essential to safeguard their rights and independence.

Maintaining Social Harmony: Controlling religious conversions aids in preserving social harmony and avoiding conflicts among various religious groups.

Deterrence Against Conversion Schemes: The Bill acts as a deterrent to conversion schemes and fraudulent religious groups that take advantage of individuals for financial or other benefits.

Advancement of Responsible Religious Freedom: The legislation is considered a measured method to protect religious liberty while hindering misuse and guaranteeing that conversions occur in an ethical and transparent manner.

Path Forward