Indian state threatens life imprisonment for ‘converting’ others

New legal amendments in Uttarakhand, India, threaten life imprisonment for broadly defined ‘allurement’ to conversion.

Uttarakhand, a state in northern India, has approved amendments to its Freedom of Religion Bill – introducing new, harsher punishments for forced conversions, up to life imprisonment.

Anti-conversion laws restrict or prohibit people from converting from one religion to another – in reality, away from Hinduism, as the laws do not cover conversion to Hinduism. So far, 12 states in India have passed such laws, citing the need to prevent conversions taking place forcibly through ‘inducement’ and ‘coercion’. In practice, anti-conversion legislation like this is abused to target Christians and other religious minorities. Everyday faith practices – like holding a prayer meeting – are treated as illegal, and antagonists often make baseless accusations as a form of persecution.

Key amendments

The latest bill includes the following changes (as reported by The Indian Express):

• Jail terms range from three years to life imprisonment
• If foreign funding is involved in conversion, it is punishable with 14 years of imprisonment and fines up to a million rupees (about four years’ average salary)
• Promoting or inciting conversion through social media, messaging apps or any online or digital means is now punishable
• Acts that praise one religion while criticising another may be subject to penalties
• Arrests can be made without a warrant, and bail is only granted if the court is convinced the accused is not guilty or unlikely to reoffend
• The definition of ‘allurement’ now includes gifts, material benefits or employment
• The definition of ‘victim’ is expanded to anyone ‘harmed by the offence’, including guardians and legal heirs of the person who converts.

The bill will become law when passed by the governor, however this is considered a formality.

Acts of kindness now punishable

“This newly amended bill is a huge threat for ordinary Christians,” says Rahul Singh*, a local Open Doors partner. “The simplest act of kindness to another person can be seen as an ‘inducement’ to convert them and they can be punished severely.”

He warns that these latest amendments are part of a larger pattern of growing hostility to minority religions in India, including Christianity and Islam. “Several Hindutva-led state governments are amending their anti-conversion laws, including Uttar Pradesh and Chhattisgarh,” he says, referencing an extreme form of Hindu nationalism. “Hindutva nationalists are misusing these laws and attacking Christians and churches. With such stringent laws, following Christ in India comes with painful consequences.”

More than 40 persecution incidents this year

Christian organisations and leaders have expressed strong opposition to the amendments, calling them discriminatory and an infringement of religious freedom. They fear the laws will be used to harass individuals and create communal tensions.

Open Doors partner Priya Sharma* shares: “Amid the increasing atrocities, the changes to the bill have worsened the situation for Christians in the state. And it raises serious concerns over violations of fundamental rights.

“From January to July 2025, more than 40 persecution incidents have been reported in Uttarakhand, where Christians were attacked, church services disrupted, churches closed, pastors falsely alleged in forced conversion cases, and discrimination. Every prayer meeting is perceived as a conversion gathering. Even acts of social service and kindness by organisations are being alleged as ‘allurement’ for religious conversion by extremists.”

House churches banned in Chhattisgarh

Meanwhile, more than 200 house churches in another state of India – Chhattisgarh – are adversely impacted by new restrictions on worshipping inside a house. The churches, in and around the state capital of Raipur, were forced to shut, supposedly to ‘maintain law and order’, and because of complaints of religious conversion.

According to local news, the Raipur city Police and District Administration held a meeting in August with pastors, priests and other prominent representatives of Christian community and gave them clear instructions that prayer services can only be organised in authorised and registered churches. 

The Christian community has strongly protested the administration’s order, stating that, ‘house church’ is not a new tradition but a globally recognised religious practice. They argue that the order violates the Indian Constitution’s guarantee of freedom of religion for its citizens. 

“The ban on house churches has created fear and has curbed the religious freedom of individuals,” says Open Doors local partner Kunal Mishra*. “Christian leaders are advocating to the state and central governments to intervene and put an end to the atrocities that Christians are facing in Chhattisgarh. Pray for the Christians that we have a safe place to worship and that every initiative taken by the Christian community for religious freedom be heard and fair action is taken.” 

Christians persevere, with prayer

Rahul Singh says that Christians in Uttarakhand, and across India, will not be deflected from practising their faith, despite these tightening laws: “They are alarmed, but they’re also prepared, and they won’t give up on their faith,” he says. “Christians are prepared to face or withstand this because they get courage from the Lord to stand strong and withstand persecution.”

Priya requests prayers for believers in Uttarakhand: “Pray regarding the proposed amendments, pray for sound wisdom and proper decision regarding the same. Also pray that the growing pressure from human rights organisations and allies within both the state and central governments may create an opportunity for religious minorities to express their concerns and submit petitions regarding the bill.”

*Names changed for security reasons