BJP MLA asks Muslim lawmakers to ‘return to original religion’ as Anti-Conversion Bill passes in Rajasthan

Jaipur: The Rajasthan Prohibition of Unlawful Conversion of Religion Bill, 2025, which stipulates that the maximum penalty for unlawful religious conversion is life in prison, was approved by the Rajasthan legislature on Tuesday, September 9.

During the Bill's debate, several MLAs from the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and a few independents backed the proposed anti-conversion law.

Rafeek Khan and Amin Kagzi, two Muslim Congress lawmakers, were even asked to "return to their original religion" by Gopal Sharma, a BJP MLA from Civil Lines.

“Aur jo hamare sadasya dharm parivartan kiye hue hain, Shriman Rafiq Khan aur Kagzi Wagerah, inse nivedan karta hun ki mool dharm mein aaiye, mool dharm mein aaiye (And our members who have changed their religion, Rafeek Khan and (Amin) Kagzi, I request them to come back to their original religion, come back to their original religion),” said Sharma, while concluding his remarks in support of the Bill, The Wire reported.

Notably, people who return to their original religion or "ghar wapsi" are exempt from the Bill's provisions that specify different penalties for individuals engaging in "illegal conversion."

In India, the Sangh parivar-led effort of religious conversion from Islam, Christianity, and other faiths to Hinduism is known as "Ghar wapsi," which translates to "homecoming." According to the Sangh, since all Indians were once Hindus, this conversion will inevitably result in a "return."

While Article 25 of the Constitution guarantees freedom of religion, Jawahar Singh Bedham, Minister of State for the Home Department, stated during the Bill's debate that it does not permit any poor, Dalit, tribal, oppressed, exploited, or deprived person to be forced to change his religion out of greed, temptation, fear, or deceit.

“I would say that Lord Krishna had said at that time that o Arjuna, whenever there is loss of religion and increase of evil, then I myself appear as an avatar. The friends in the opposition should think that for the protection of religion, the chief minister of the state has done the work of bringing this Bill in the House keeping in mind the sentiments of lakhs and crores of people,” said Bedham.

The proposed legislation provides for punishment ranging from seven to 14 years in jail and a fine of up to Rs 5 lakh for conversion through fraudulent means.

Conversion of minors, women, Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and persons with disabilities through deceit would attract a jail term of 10 to 20 years and a fine of at least Rs 10 lakh.

Mass conversions through fraudulent means would be punishable with imprisonment of 20 years to life and a fine of not less than Rs 25 lakh.

Receiving foreign or illegal funds for conversion activities would also invite rigorous imprisonment of 10 to 20 years and a fine of at least Rs 20 lakh under the proposed legislation.

The bill further states that properties used for forced conversion could be confiscated, and marriages done for the purpose of unlawful conversion could be annulled by family courts or competent courts.

It mandates prior intimation to the district magistrate before any voluntary conversion.

The opposition Congress did not take part in the assembly's debate on the measure because, at the time of the discussion, the party was raising slogans at the House's well, claiming that more cameras had been placed close to the opposition benches to monitor them.