India's Rajasthan State to Present Anti-Conversion Bill Next Week
Friday, Sep. 23, 2005
Posted: 9:53:46AM EST

A northwestern state in India ruled by Hindu nationalist will present to the state assembly next week an anti-conversion bill that religious leaders fear would be used as a means to harass minority groups, if passed.

On Monday, Sept. 26, India’s Rajasthan state is scheduled to present the anti-conversion bill to the state assembly. If passed, the legislation will require anyone involved in the conversion process to inform district authorities before the conversion takes place. Failure to follow the law would result in imprisonment or heavy fines.

Moreover, the proposed anti-conversion bill calls for punishment to any individual attempting to convert someone through “fear tactic,” including preaching on hell and judgment, and “enticement” or “fraudulent means,” such as a gift from a Christian, or even the promise of heaven, according to the Religious Liberty Commission of the World Evangelical Alliance (WEA RLC). The “enticement” or “fraudulent means” section of the bill will especially affect Christian relief agencies and humanitarian ministries, which can be accused of “enticing” people to convert to Christianity, the Commission stated in a prayer bulletin released on Wednesday.

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