8/18/2025 India (International Christian Concern) — The north Indian state of Uttarakhand tightened its anti-conversion laws on Aug. 13 to include stringent penalties for illegal conversions, a ban on propaganda through digital media, and protection of victims.

In a first-of-its-kind move, Uttarakhand has included digital media within its ambit of illegal conversions, with punishment for inciting conversion through social media, messaging apps, or any other online medium, among others.

The amendments to the Uttarakhand Freedom of Religion (Amendment) Bill were approved by the Uttarakhand State Cabinet, led by its Chief Minister, Pushkar Singh Dhami, and are expected to be passed into law this week.

“Uttarakhand is Devbhoomi (the land of gods) and a place where holy saints through the ages came and meditated,” Dhami said in a statement to the media. “In the last few years, there have been instances of demographic changes under the guise of illegal conversions. The proposed amendment is a major step on our part to ensure that the social fabric of the Himalayan state is not changed.”

The media has given broad coverage to the state government’s claim that the amended law will protect the religious rights of citizens, prevent conversion by fraud, inducement, or pressure, and maintain social harmony.

Under the amendment, the jail term for illegal conversions has been raised to 14 years, and, in some cases, to 20 years, which may even extend to life imprisonment. Currently, the maximum jail term is 10 years, and the highest fine is equivalent to roughly $575.

The district magistrate has also been given new authority to make arrests without a warrant and seize properties acquired through crimes related to religious conversion.

The amendment has also redefined “inducement,” which now means and includes offering any of the following for religious conversions: “Gift, gratification, easy money, or material benefit in cash or kind, employment, free education in a school or college run by a religious institution, or a promise to marry or a better lifestyle, divine displeasure or otherwise.”

Additionally, anyone who portrays the practices, rituals, and ceremonies of a particular religion in a derogatory manner or glorifies one religion over another may face punishment.

Located in the Himalayan region, Uttarakhand is one of the most significant Hindu pilgrimage centers in the world, having four main towns for pilgrimage. Originally part of northwestern Uttar Pradesh, this region has been home to Christianity since 1624, particularly since 1814.

Fundamentalist religious outfits with tacit support of the state have been involved in “purging campaigns” to rid Uttarakhand of religious shrines of other minority faiths, including Christianity and Islam, and have openly been seen destroying religious structures. These new amendments could add more trouble for minorities living in the state.

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