India has entered a dangerous new chapter in religious restrictions. Last week, the northern state of Uttarakhand passed the nation’s harshest anti-conversion law, expanding punishment for alleged “forced conversions” to life imprisonment and imposing crippling fines up to ₹1 million ($11,446 USD).
The amendment, known as the Freedom of Religion (Amendment) Bill, 2025, criminalizes even ordinary conversations about faith on social media and digital platforms, raising urgent concerns over free speech and religious liberty.
What the Law Says
- Life Imprisonment: Conversions by “force, threat, inducement, trafficking or promise of marriage” can bring 20 years to life in prison plus a fine of at least ₹1 million.
- Vulnerable Groups: Conversions involving minors, women, Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, or disabled persons carry 5–14 years in prison and heavy fines.
- Mass Conversions & Foreign Funding: Both bring 7–14 years imprisonment and steep penalties.
- Marriage Cases: Concealing religion for marriage purposes can result in 3–10 years in prison and fines up to ₹300,000.
- Digital Faith Sharing: Online discussions, posts, and even donations to churches can be prosecuted as “incitement to conversion.”
Voices of Concern
Christian leaders and civil rights advocates have condemned the legislation as draconian:
- “When laws criminalize social media discussions about faith, they threaten every citizen’s fundamental right to religious expression in the digital age,” said Rev. Vijayesh Lal of the Evangelical Fellowship of India.
- Attorney Rohit Singh revealed that pastors are already removing sermons online, stopping donations, and even considering leaving the state.
- John Dayal of the All India Catholic Union called the law “a complete assault on constitutional rights,” pointing to arbitrary arrests and property confiscations without due process.
Editorials in The Times of India slammed the bill as “poorly designed legislation” that invites abuse, allowing police to arrest without warrants and courts to deny bail unless innocence is proven.
The Bigger Picture
The amendment reflects a broader trend across India:
- Similar anti-conversion laws exist in states like Odisha, Madhya Pradesh, and Gujarat.
- Incidents of violence against Christians have soared from 100 in 2014 to over 800 in 2024, according to the United Christian Forum.
- India has slipped to 11th place on Open Doors’ World Watch List of countries where Christians face severe persecution—down from 31st in 2013.
Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami defended the law, citing alleged “illegal conversions” and “demographic change.” Yet official statistics show Christians make up only 0.37% of Uttarakhand’s population, compared to 83% Hindu and 14% Muslim.
Why This Matters
At its core, this law is not just about conversions. It strikes at the heart of India’s constitutional promise of freedom of belief under Article 25.
The Rev. Richard Howell framed the issue bluntly:
“Courts and bills decide procedures. But they cannot tell us what freedom of belief means, how many voices a democracy should hold, or why a church feeds the hungry with no strings attached. The real question is simple – can Indians still choose faith freely, live side by side with deep differences, and serve one another without suspicion?”
Conclusion
The passage of this amendment sends a chilling message—not only to Christians but to anyone who values freedom of conscience in India. The fight ahead is about more than legal language; it is about the soul of democracy, the meaning of love, and the right of every person to follow their faith without fear.
As believers, we must remain steadfast in prayer and action, remembering that while laws may change, God’s Kingdom cannot be shaken.
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