The Uttarakhand state government in India has approved a tough amendment to its Freedom of Religion Act, introducing some of the strictest anti-conversion measures in the country.

Under the revised law, individuals accused of carrying out forced religious conversions could face life imprisonment, fines of up to ₹10 lakh and the possibility of property seizure. The amendment also empowers authorities to make arrests without a warrant in such cases, a provision that has drawn sharp criticism from rights groups.

Supporters of the amendment argue that it is necessary to curb what they describe as “unlawful” conversions carried out through coercion or allurement. Critics, however, warn that the sweeping powers and harsh penalties could lead to misuse, targeting religious minorities and restricting individual freedoms.

With the amendment’s approval, Uttarakhand joins a growing number of Indian states enacting stringent laws against religious conversion, deepening the national debate over the balance between protecting religious freedom and preventing exploitation.