Vidhi Codex

THE HIMACHAL PRADESH FREEDOM OF RELIGION ACT, 2019

The Himachal Pradesh Freedom of Religion Act, 2019

General201917 sections

The Himachal Pradesh Freedom of Religion Act, 2019 regulates religious conversions in the Indian state of Himachal Pradesh. It applies to all individuals, priests, and organizations within the state, prohibiting conversions done through force, misrepresentation, coercion, inducement, or marriage. Anyone wishing to convert, and the officiating priest, must give a one month advance notice to district officials. This legislation matters because violations carry severe prison sentences and fines, especially involving minors or women. Additionally, it makes offences non-bailable, allows marriages done solely for conversion to be declared void, and places the burden of proof on the converted person.

Start reading →Read full ActSections
  1. 0. Preamble
  2. 1. For Statement of Objects and Reasons, see the Rajpatra, Himachal Pradesh, dated 31st August,
  3. 2. Definitions.
  4. 3. Prohibition of conversion from one religion to another by misrepresentation, force, fraud, undue influence, coercion, inducement or marriage.
  5. 4. Punishment for contravention of provisions of section 3.
  6. 5. Marriages done for sole purpose of conversion to be declared null and void
  7. 6. Court to which petition shall be presented.
  8. 7. Declaration before conversion of religion and pre-report about purification Sanskar
  9. 8. Prosecution to be launched with the prior sanction.
  10. 9. Punishment for violation of provisions of the Act by an institution or organization
  11. 10. Prohibition on accepting donation or contribution.
  12. 11. Parties to offence.
  13. 12. Burden of proof.
  14. 13. Offences to be cognizable and non-bailable.
  15. 14. Power to remove difficulties.
  16. 15. Power to make rules.
  17. 16. Repeal and savings.

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