News for 'freedom-of-religion-bill'

Chhattisgarh Government Tables Bill to Prevent Forced Religious Conversions

Chhattisgarh Government Tables Bill to Prevent Forced Religious Conversions

Rediff.com19 Mar 2026

The Chhattisgarh government has introduced a bill in the state assembly to prevent religious conversions carried out through force, inducement, fraud, or misrepresentation. The bill, titled the Chhattisgarh Dharm Swatantraya Vidheyak, 2026 (Freedom of Religion Bill, 2026), aims to curb conversions achieved through coercion or undue influence.

Maha tables stricter anti-conversion Bill, proposes 7-year jail term

Maha tables stricter anti-conversion Bill, proposes 7-year jail term

Rediff.com13 Mar 2026

The Maharashtra government has introduced the Maharashtra Freedom of Religion Bill 2026, which aims to prohibit religious conversions carried out through coercion, fraud, or marriage, with stringent penalties for violations.

Maha assembly passes anti-conversion Bill; CM says not against any religion

Maha assembly passes anti-conversion Bill; CM says not against any religion

Rediff.com17 Mar 2026

The Maharashtra assembly has passed the Freedom of Religion Bill 2026, introducing strict measures to prevent religious conversions through coercion, fraud, or marriage, sparking debate over constitutional rights and religious freedom.

Chhattisgarh Introduces Bill to Prevent Religious Conversions by Force

Chhattisgarh Introduces Bill to Prevent Religious Conversions by Force

Rediff.com19 Mar 2026

The Chhattisgarh government has introduced a bill aimed at preventing religious conversions through force, inducement, or misrepresentation, sparking opposition and debate in the state assembly.

Gujarat withdraws Freedom of Religion Bill

Gujarat withdraws Freedom of Religion Bill

Rediff.com10 Mar 2008

The Gujarat government on Monday withdrew the controversial Freedom of Religion (Amendment) Bill of 2006, which the governor had returned to the Legislative Assembly for reconsideration in August 2007. Governor Nawal Kishore Sharma in his message, read out in the assembly by Speaker Ashok Bhatt while returning the Bill, said he found it to be violative of the Article 25 (A) of the Constitution.

As Karnataka passes anti-conversion ordinance, archbishop appeals to governor

As Karnataka passes anti-conversion ordinance, archbishop appeals to governor

Rediff.com12 May 2022

The Karnataka cabinet on Thursday decided to promulgate an ordinance to give effect to the contentious law against religious conversions.

Karnataka assembly approves anti-conversion bill, to take effect from May 17

Karnataka assembly approves anti-conversion bill, to take effect from May 17

Rediff.com21 Sep 2022

Amid opposition Congress's protest and walkout, the Karnataka legislative assembly on Wednesday okayed the anti-conversion bill, passed by the legislative council last week with minor amendments, that seeks to replace the ordinance that was in place to give effect to the bill.

'People are frightened, but nobody knows what to do'

'People are frightened, but nobody knows what to do'

Rediff.com15 May 2023

'There is no one who will be able to have a dignified life, when your brother and sister of another community are not being treated as human.'

Karnataka Cabinet clears anti-conversion bill

Karnataka Cabinet clears anti-conversion bill

Rediff.com20 Dec 2021

The contentious anti-conversion bill was cleared by the Karnataka Cabinet on Monday and it is most likely to be tabled in the legislative Assembly on December 21, official sources said.

Anti-conversion bill passed in Karnataka Council

Anti-conversion bill passed in Karnataka Council

Rediff.com15 Sep 2022

The 'Karnataka Protection of Right to Freedom of Religion Bill' was passed by the Legislative Assembly in December last.

Christian delegation meets K'taka guv against anti-conversion ordinance

Christian delegation meets K'taka guv against anti-conversion ordinance

Rediff.com16 May 2022

To a query on the possibility of approaching court, Machado said that has not been decided, but it would be one of the options to stop the promulgation of the ordinance.

Adityanath govt mulls ordinance against 'love jihad'

Adityanath govt mulls ordinance against 'love jihad'

Rediff.com18 Sep 2020

The aim is to ensure that such crimes are checked and effective action is taken against the culprits.

K'taka guv gives nod to anti-conversion ordinance, violators to be jailed

K'taka guv gives nod to anti-conversion ordinance, violators to be jailed

Rediff.com17 May 2022

The bill was passed in the assembly in December last year but was pending before the council where the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party is one short of a majority.

Assam govt to bring laws for transparency in marriage, says Himanta Sarma

Assam govt to bring laws for transparency in marriage, says Himanta Sarma

Rediff.com1 Dec 2020

Sarma said, "It will be mandatory for all marriages. There will be a disclosure pro forma given to a wife who'll give it to her husband. It won't be only about religion but everything that a wife needs to know. It won't be in line with Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh. It'll be empowering women."

Karnataka's proposed law has 10-yr jail for mass conversions

Karnataka's proposed law has 10-yr jail for mass conversions

Rediff.com17 Dec 2021

The consequences will be stern in case SC/ST and minors are converted.

Amid chants of 'Jai Shri Ram', MP passes law against 'love jihad'

Amid chants of 'Jai Shri Ram', MP passes law against 'love jihad'

Rediff.com8 Mar 2021

The Madhya Pradesh Assembly on Monday passed a bill that penalises religious conversion through marriage or any other fraudulent means and provides for a prison sentence of up to 10 years.

K'taka passes Anti-Conversion Bill amid din, Cong calls it 'anti people'

K'taka passes Anti-Conversion Bill amid din, Cong calls it 'anti people'

Rediff.com23 Dec 2021

Congress partly vehemently opposed the bill, calling it "anti people", "inhuman", "anti constitutional", "anti poor" and "draconian", and urged that it should not be passed for any reason and should be withdrawn by the government.

MP cabinet approves law against religious conversion

MP cabinet approves law against religious conversion

Rediff.com26 Dec 2020

The Madhya Pradesh cabinet on Saturday approved the Religious Freedom Bill 2020, which provides for prison term of up to 10 years and fine of Rs 1 lakh for conversion through marriage or by any other fraudulent means, state Home Minister Narottam Mishra said.

MP cabinet approves ordinance to deal with 'love jihad' cases

MP cabinet approves ordinance to deal with 'love jihad' cases

Rediff.com29 Dec 2020

The Madhya Pradesh cabinet on Tuesday gave nod to an ordinance on the bill against religious conversion through fraudulent means, including those for the sake of marriage, that stipulates a jail term of up to 10 years for violators.

Why Bommai needs New Delhi's backing to stay on as CM

Why Bommai needs New Delhi's backing to stay on as CM

Rediff.com17 Jan 2022

'Bommai is everybody's man and nobody's man'

Karnataka: Anti-conversion bill tabled amid din, DK tears papers

Karnataka: Anti-conversion bill tabled amid din, DK tears papers

Rediff.com21 Dec 2021

State Congress president D K Shivakumar even tore papers on his table, in protest against the introduction of the bill, which his party called 'draconian and anti-constitution'.

India is a moral giant; no one can damage its image

India is a moral giant; no one can damage its image

Rediff.com16 May 2020

'India's reputation is not and cannot be dependent on the whimsical opinions of some obscure foreign advisory committee packed with Hindu-phobic acolytes,' declares Vivek Gumaste.