State PCS - Uttarakhand (UKPSC)

• 14 Aug 2025

Uttarakhand Freedom of Religion (Amendment) Bill 2025

Why in News? 

The Uttarakhand Cabinet has approved the Uttarakhand Freedom of Religion (Amendment) Bill 2025, introducing tougher penalties for forced, fraudulent, or coercive religious conversions.  

• The new amendments include life imprisonment, hefty fines, and increased provisions for protecting victims of illegal conversions. 
  

Key Points

• Stricter Penalties: 
  • The amended bill proposes life imprisonment for the gravest cases of forced conversions, alongside fines up to ₹10 lakh. 
  • General offences will carry 3 to 10 years imprisonment, while crimes involving sensitive classes such as minors or women will face 5 to 14 years imprisonment. 
  • Promotion through Digital Platforms: The bill criminalizes promoting conversions through social media, messaging apps, and other online channels. 
• Expanded Definition of Inducement: The bill broadens the definition of “inducement”, now including gifts, cash, goods, employment offers, promises of marriage, or portraying another religion negatively. 
• Protecting Victims: The bill includes provisions for victim protection, rehabilitation, financial assistance for medical care and travel, as well as legal aid  for victims of forced conversions. 
• Marriage and False Identity: It criminalizes marriage under false pretenses, where an individual conceals their religion, with penalties of 3 to 10 years in prison and fines of ₹3 lakh. 
• Asset Seizure and Warrants: Authorities will have the power to seize assets acquired through illegal conversions.  
  • Arrests can be made without a warrant in these cases (cognizable offenses), and bail will only be granted if the accused is not found guilty or is not likely to repeat the offense.