The Gujarat Freedom of Religion Act, 2003
The Gujarat Freedom of Religion Act, 2003
The Gujarat Freedom of Religion Act, 2003, regulates religious conversions within the state of Gujarat to prevent conversions achieved through force, allurement, fraudulent means, or marriage. The law applies to any individual, institution, or organization attempting to convert another person. It mandates that anyone performing a conversion ceremony must obtain prior permission from the District Magistrate, and the converted person must intimate the authorities of the change. Violations result in imprisonment and fines, with significantly harsher penalties for conversions involving minors, women, or members of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes. The Act aims to ensure that religious conversion remains a voluntary act free from coercion.
- 1. Short title and commencement
- 2. Definitions
- 3. Prohibition of forcible conversion
- 3A. Lodging of complaint
- 4. Punishment for contravention of provisions of section 3
- 4A. Punishment for contravention of provisions of section 3 in case of marriage by unlawful conversion
- 4B. Marriage by unlawful conversion
- 4C. Offences by Institution or Organization
- 6. Prosecution to be made with the sanction of District Magistrate
- 6A. Burden of proof
- 7. Offences to be cognizable and non-bailable
- 8. Power to make rules
PDF: pending for this language.