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Ajendra, who actively raised the issue of land jihad in the state, said that a new strict law against conversion is the demand of time.
Dehradun: The Uttarakhand Cabinet approved the amendment bill in the anti -conversion law, making this law more strict. This law has become even more strict with the approval of the State Cabinet to bring another law to amend the Uttarakhand Religion Freedom Act. Its purpose is to prevent religious conversions through force, fraud or unfair effects. This is the second law amending the Act which is applicable in Uttarakhand since 2018. The first amendment was made in 2022 when Pushkar Singh Dhami took over as Chief Minister for the second consecutive time. The second amendment law approved by the State Cabinet on Wednesday provides for maximum life imprisonment for forced conversion and a fine of up to Rs 10 lakh. Currently, the maximum jail duration for this crime in Uttarakhand is 10 years and the maximum penalty is Rs 50,000.
Strict law demand for time
The new bill proposes to extend the jail duration to 14 or 20 years for such crimes and it can be extended to life imprisonment based on the severity of the case. BJP leader and former chairman of Badrinath-Kedarnath Temple Committee, Ajendra Ajay said that in view of the recent cases of conversion for the purpose of demographic change in the state, another amendment bill has been introduced to make the law even more strict. Describing the decision of the cabinet as historic, he said that a modified act with stringent provisions would serve as a strong preventive for potential criminals and will help preserve the original identity of a border state, such as Uttarakhand, also known as Devbhoomi. Ajendra, who actively raised the issue of land jihad in the state, said that a new strict law against conversion is the demand of time.
Arrest can be done without warrant
He said that it will help in combating the “nationwide campaign” being run in the current conversion. Demographic change in Uttarakhand is a well -known fact. Due to demographic change, the original identity of the state in the form of Devbhoomi is also in danger. Since it is a border state, demographic change in Uttarakhand can also pose a threat to the security of the country. By making strict provisions in the anti -conversion law, the state government has given a strict message. Uttarakhand Religion Freedom (Amendment) Act, 2025 makes fraud or forced conversion a cognizable and non-bailable offense. In such cases, the police can arrest the culprit without a warrant and bail will be granted only when the trial court (Sessions Court) is convinced that the accused is not guilty and will not repeat the crime.
Provision for heavy fine
The Bill has also expanded the definition of temptation and its scope includes any kind of gift, satisfaction, easy -to -get money, cash or physical advantage, cash, free education, marriage promise, to hurt religious faith or glorify any other religion, all of which have been placed in the category of crime. It punes acts like social media, messaging app or promoting conversion through any online medium. The Bill provides for three to 10 years imprisonment for general violations, a minor, woman or scheduled caste or scheduled tribe or a scheduled tribe or a disabled or mentally deranged person in cases related to conversion of five to 14 years and life imprisonment and heavy penalty for 20 years in serious cases.
