1 day ago
Goa Anti-Conversion Bill Stalls After Legislators Raise Objections
Goa’s government prepared a law to punish religious conversion carried out through force, cheating, pressure, rewards or marriage.
The cabinet approved the proposal before the state assembly session began.
But several legislators reportedly objected to it, including some members of the ruling BJP.
Because of this opposition, the bill probably will not be discussed in the current session.
The proposal included severe punishments, including long prison sentences and large fines.
It also required people to tell the government 60 days before voluntarily changing their religion.
Church organizations said this could make people suspicious of one another and interfere with personal choices.
Opposition politicians said Goa has no proven widespread conversion problem and that the bill could create communal tension.
Chief Minister Pramod Sawant has argued that Goa needs a law to prevent forced conversions.
Goa’s cabinet approved an anti-conversion bill for introduction during the 2026 monsoon session.
The bill is now unlikely to be tabled after legislators, including some BJP members, objected to it.
The draft proposed prison terms of up to life, fines starting at Rs 50,000 and compensation up to Rs 5 lakh.
It required people planning to change religion to notify a district magistrate at least 60 days beforehand.
Church bodies and opposition legislators said the bill could threaten religious freedom, minorities and communal harmony.
- Who
- The Goa government, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant, legislators, church organizations and opposition parties are involved.
- What
- A proposed law would prohibit religious conversions carried out through force, coercion, undue influence, allurement, fraudulent means or marriage.
- Where
- Goa, India.
- When
- The cabinet approved the bill shortly before the Goa assembly’s 2026 monsoon session, which began on Monday; it is unlikely to be tabled during that session.
- Why
- The government says the law is needed to prevent forced or unlawful conversions; critics say there is no evidence of a widespread problem and that the bill could threaten religious freedom and communal harmony.
Critics of the bill
Supporters of the bill
Need for legislation
Critics of the bill
Opposition legislators, church bodies and an independent MLA said Goa has no evidence or reliable data showing widespread or ongoing forced conversions, making the bill unnecessary.
Supporters of the bill
Chief Minister Pramod Sawant has said Goa needs an anti-conversion law to prevent forced conversions, citing similar legislation in other states and alleged cases of ‘love-jihad’ in Goa.
Impact on religious freedom
Critics of the bill
Church organizations said the proposal could enable surveillance of personal beliefs and relationships, restrict legitimate religious and charitable activity, and expose minorities to misuse of the law.
Supporters of the bill
The government’s stated purpose is to prevent conversion through force, coercion, undue influence, allurement, fraudulent means or marriage, rather than to restrict voluntary religious choice.
Timing and social impact
Critics of the bill
Opposition MLAs said the proposal could inflame communal tensions ahead of the 2027 election, while church bodies warned it could encourage vigilantism and damage Goa’s harmony.
Supporters of the bill
Legislators who support the government’s broader position have not all supported the bill’s timing or current draft; some ruling-party and government-aligned legislators called for further study and consultation.
Key facts
- Bill name
- The Goa Prohibition of Unlawful Conversion of Religion Bill, 2026
- Proposed prison terms
- Up to life imprisonment for certain unlawful conversions; three to 10 years for offenders including religious figures
- Proposed fine
- A minimum fine of Rs 50,000
- Proposed compensation
- Up to Rs 5 lakh for victims
- Advance declaration
- People intending to change religion would have to notify a district magistrate or additional district magistrate at least 60 days in advance
- Current status
- Approved by the cabinet but reportedly unlikely to be introduced during the ongoing assembly session
- Next Goa election
- The state is scheduled to go to polls in 2027
Quotes
Aleixo Reginaldo Lourenco
Independent MLA supporting the BJP-led government
“In such a situation when we don’t have instances of any religious conversion in the state, what is the necessity of bringing such a law? The bill is part of the narrative of the BJP government to create communal tension in the state and perhaps incarcerate people to sow seeds of hatred amongst people. Such a divisive legislation which is being brought on the eve of elections is a clear statement that BJP has felt that it is losing the plot.”
indianexpress.com
“There are no religious conversions happening in Goa according to me. There is no data, there are no statistics. So, why is it required? Goa is a peaceful state and people here have lived in harmony. So, why disturb this harmony? I have supported the government…but this doesn’t have my support.”
indianexpress.com
Sources
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