Himachal Pradesh assembly passes bill against forced mass conversion

The Himachal Pradesh Assembly has passed the Himachal Pradesh Freedom of Religion (Amendment) Bill, 2022, forbidding mass conversion. The Bill was passed with a voice vote even though the Opposition members demanded the Government to refer the Bill to a Select Committee.

The Bill s the reference to mass conversion which is described as two or more people converting at the same



time.  

It proposes to increase the punishment for forced conversions to a maximum of 10 years from seven years. Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur tabled the Bill on Friday in the Vidhan Sabha. He said, the Bill has been brought to curb mass conversion. He gave examples of mass conversion in Rohru Rampur and Banjar in Himachal.