UP Prohibition of Unlawful Conversion of Religion Act, 2021

• 12 Jul 2025

Why in News? 

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has registered a case under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002 related to an alleged religious conversion racket exposed in Balrampur, Uttar Pradesh. 

• ED launched its probe after an FIR filed under the Uttar Pradesh Prohibition of Unlawful Religious Conversion Act, 2021. 

Key Points 

• Uttar Pradesh Prohibition of Unlawful Conversion of Religion Act, 2021: 
  • It aims to regulate religious conversions and prohibit conversions achieved by misrepresentation, force, undue influence, coercion, allurement, or any fraudulent means. 
  • Illegal conversion carries a standard punishment of imprisonment and a fine.  
    • Enhanced punishment of imprisonment and a fine applies if the victim is a woman, a minor, or belongs to a Scheduled Caste or Scheduled Tribe. 
  • Repeat offenders may face up to double the relevant punishment. Any marriage conducted for the purpose of unlawful conversion is declared void. 
  • Earlier, the Uttar Pradesh Legislative Assembly passed the Uttar Pradesh Prohibition of Unlawful Conversion of Religion (Amendment) Bill, 2024, significantly altering the original 2021 anti-conversion law by making its provisions more stringent. 
• Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) 2002: 
  • Key Provisions: 
    • Defines money laundering as concealment, possession, acquisition, or use of proceeds from crime, projecting them as legitimate assets. 
    • Empowers the Enforcement Directorate (ED) to investigate offenses, conduct raids, and attach proceeds of crime. 
    • Mandates financial institutions to report suspicious transactions to the Financial Intelligence Unit – India (FIU-IND) for scrutiny. 
    • Establishes Special Courts to expedite trials of money laundering cases, ensuring legal deterrence. 
    • Includes a wide range of predicate offenses under the Schedule of Offenses, covering economic offenses, corruption, drug trafficking, and terrorism. 
  • Effectiveness: 
    • Stronger deterrence: The PMLA deters financial crimes through strict investigation, prosecution, and asset confiscation in major fraud and economic offenses. 
    • Enhanced international cooperation: India collaborates with Interpol and the FATF (Financial Action Task Force) to track illicit funds. 
    • Better financial monitoring: Banks and financial institutions are obligated to implement Know Your Customer (KYC) norms, reducing money laundering risks.

Key Constitutional Provisions Related to Religious Conversion 

• Article 25: Guarantees freedom of conscience and the right to freely profess, practice, and propagate religion, subject to public order, morality, and health. The state can regulate or restrict any economic, financial, political, or other secular activity associated with religious practice. 
  • It also allows for the regulation of secular activities associated with religious practice and the throwing open of Hindu religious institutions to all classes and sections of Hindus. 
• Article 26: Entitles every religious denomination to manage its own religious affairs, subject to public order, morality, and health. 
• Articles 27 to 30: Guarantee freedom to manage religious affairs, contribute monetarily to any religion, and set up and administer educational institutions.