Indian believers nervous about new conversion laws

A state in northern India is considering new laws that will penalize anyone found to cause someone else to change faiths

Christians in northern India are asking you to pray with them as a regional government recently advanced new regulations that will restrict any religious conversion.

According to The Hindu News, on August 13, 2025, the Uttarakhand Cabinet has approved the second amendment in the Freedom of Religion (Amendment) Bill 2025, aimed at strengthening the state's anti-conversion law. The legislation—which introduces stricter penalties and broader definitions for forced conversions—will be considered by the State Assembly later in August.

The Indian Express reports some key parts of the law:

• Penalties: Jail terms range from 3 years to life imprisonment.
• Definition of “Allurement” (Editor’s note: This usually refers to giving gifts or enticements to influence someone to change faiths): Includes gifts, material benefits, employment, or invoking divine displeasure. Criticizing one religion while glorifying another, or spreading conversion propaganda on social/digital media, also qualifies
• Definition of “victim”: Anyone harmed by the offence. The definition now extends to guardians and legal heirs
• Acts that exalt one religion while criticizing another may also be subject to penalties
• Victims of forced conversion receive free legal aid, accommodation, maintenance, medical support and confidentiality under a special government scheme
• Arrests can be made without a warrant. Bail will be granted only if the court is convinced that the accused is not guilty or unlikely to reoffend
• Promoting or inciting conversion through social media, messaging apps or any online medium or digital means is made punishable.
• If foreign funding is involved in conversion, it is punishable with 14 years of rigorous imprisonment and fines up to ₹1 million (about $11,500 USD)

Concerns from Christians

Believers in Uttarakhand are concerned about the new legislation and what it will mean for religious freedom. “Once, Uttarakhand was a less religiously polarized state,” points out Rahul Singh*, an Open Doors partner. “But since [a Hindu-nationalist-leaning] political party has formed the state government, religious minorities have come under threat. With the new, stricter and harsh amendment to the Freedom of Religion Bill, Article 25 of the Indian Constitution—[which grants] the fundamental right to freedom of religion to all citizen—is being violated. India’s commitment to secularism and religious freedom is under threat. … Extremists are misusing such laws and attacking Christians and churches. With such stringent laws, following Christ in India comes with painful consequences.”

Christian organizations 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 fuel religious tension.

“Amid the increasing atrocities, the changes to the bill have worsened the situation for Christians in the state, raising [serious] concerns over violations of fundamental rights,” shares Open Doors partner Priya Sharma*. “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 organizations are being alleged as ‘allurement’ for religious conversion by extremists.”

*Names changed for security reasons