Goa Cabinet Clears Anti-Conversion Bill Ahead Of Monsoon Session
· India · Hindustan Times, The Hindu
The Goa Cabinet has approved an anti-conversion bill, which is set to be introduced during the three-day monsoon session of the state assembly starting August 31. The proposed legislation mandates up to 14 years of imprisonment for unlawful conversions involving force, coercion, or allurement, particularly when targeting minors, women, or members of Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe communities. Individuals seeking to convert are required to file a formal declaration with the district magistrate to confirm the process is voluntary. If enacted, Goa will become the 13th state in India to implement such a law. Chief Minister Pramod Sawant has previously advocated for the bill, citing the need to prevent forceful conversions.
Why it matters
The bill directly impacts religious minorities and interfaith couples in Goa, where Christians and Muslims constitute over 35% of the population, by introducing strict legal oversight and potential criminal penalties for religious conversions.
Read the original report — Hindustan Times
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