India — Legislators in Uttar Pradesh, the most populous state in India, on Tuesday passed a bill that increases punishments for those who violate an anti-conversion law established in 2021.

The ramifications of the bill make easy targets of Christian missionary groups and are causing concern for Christian minorities living in the Hindu-majority state.

An International Christian Concern (ICC) staffer explained the dangers of these laws, stating that “ICC regularly witnesses how these anti-conversion laws make minority religious life in India difficult.” For example, “singing and worship could lead a Hindu to convert to Christianity,” the staffer explained, which could lead to false accusations of illegal conversion, potentially landing a person in prison.

The bill, officially known as the Prohibition of Unlawful Conversion of Religion (Amendment) Bill—2024, lays out strict penalties for individuals practicing “illegal” conversion activities. Under the new bill, violators found guilty could face life imprisonment for certain crimes and heavy fines.

Under the 2021 bill, an individual convicted of engaging in illegal mass conversion could be sentenced to three to 10 years in prison. Now, with the 2024 amendment, that same crime carries a minimum sentence of seven years in jail and a maximum prison sentence of 14 years.

Additionally, prior to the amended bill, a converted individual, or their siblings or parents, was required to be present to file a wrongful conversion complaint with the police. Now, any individual can report suspicious conversion activity to authorities, prompting allegations of false reports.

Other violations outlined in the bill include criminalizing obtaining funds from foreign agencies for the purpose of illegal conversion, a crime which, if convicted, carries a maximum 14-year prison sentence.

Reports of Christians being singled out and prosecuted for their beliefs under the guise of the law have been rampant in recent years.

According to several reports, attacks against Christians have surged as Christ followers have endured beatings, threats, and abuse largely at the hands of Hindu nationalists who are bolstered by draconian anti-conversion laws. Police and others in positions of power have also been accused of abusing anti-conversion laws.

ICC reported on a United Christian Forum report in April, stating that “police have filed false cases of forced conversion against pastors,… [simply] for praying at birthday parties and other social gatherings.”

Additionally, according to The Wire, “police continue to register [reports] against unlawful conversion on the complaints of…right-wing activists and other third-party elements, including elected local representatives, ruling party office-bearers and police personnel themselves.”

The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom in 2023 stated that India’s anti-conversion laws “violate [the] international human rights law’s guarantee that individuals have the freedom to change their religious beliefs.”
Sources:persecution

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