Panaji: The state cabinet on Tuesday approved the introduction of the Goa Prohibition of Unlawful Conversion of Religion Bill, 2026, in the assembly, proposing stringent penalties for religious conversions allegedly carried out through force, coercion, undue influence, allurement, fraudulent means or marriage. The Bill provides for imprisonment of up to the end of life, fines of at least Rs 50,000 and compensation of up to Rs 5 lakh to victims.The proposed law also seeks to declare a marriage void if it is found to have been solemnised solely for the purpose of unlawful conversion, or conversion carried out through marriage.Offenders involved in unlawful conversions, including religious figures such as priests, karmkandis, maulvis or mullas, could face imprisonment of not less than three years and up to 10 years. Where the person converted is a minor, a person with a disability or mental illness, a woman, or a member of the Scheduled Castes or Scheduled Tribes, the punishment would be rigorous imprisonment of between five and 14 years, along with a fine of at least Rs 1 lakh.Chief secretary V Candavelou said the legislation was aimed at protecting vulnerable people from being converted through unlawful means.“In order to protect the gullible persons from converting one religion to another by misrepresentation, force, undue influence, coercion, allurement or by fraudulent means, govt has decided to enact a law to provide for prohibition of unlawful conversion from one religion to another by misrepresentation, force, undue influence, coercion, allurement or fraudulent means, and for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto,” he said.The Bill allows any person to provide information regarding a violation of its provisions and lodge an FIR. “Any information relating to the contravention of the provisions of this Act may be given by any person and the manner of giving such information shall be the same as of the Bharatiya Nagrik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023,” it states.The court may also direct the accused to pay compensation to the victim of the conversion, up to Rs 5 lakh, in addition to the fine.Under the proposed law, anyone intending to change their religion would have to submit a declaration at least 60 days in advance to the district magistrate, or an additional district magistrate authorised for the purpose, stating that the conversion is being undertaken voluntarily and without force, coercion, undue influence or allurement.The person conducting the conversion ceremony would have to give the district magistrate one month’s advance notice of the ceremony.The Bill also proposes that any institution or organisation violating its provisions would be denied government financial aid or grants.It provides an exception for re-conversion to a person’s immediate previous religion, stating that such re-conversion would not be treated as a conversion under the proposed Act.The cabinet said the legislation was intended to protect the constitutional right to freedom of conscience and religion while preventing unlawful conversion. It noted that the Constitution guarantees every person the right to profess, practice and propagate their religion, while maintaining that this individual right cannot be construed as a collective right to proselytise.The governor has summoned the three-day monsoon session of the Goa legislative assembly beginning Monday, during which govt is expected to introduce the Bill.
