Uttarakhand Cabinet approval to bill amending anti-conversion law makes it far more stringent

The Uttarakhand cabinet has approved a second amendment to the state's Freedom of Religion Act, increasing penalties for forced religious conversions. The new legislation proposes life imprisonment and fines up to Rs 10 lakh, aiming to deter offenders and preserve the state's identity. This amendment addresses concerns about demographic changes and alleged conversion campaigns, making such offenses cognizable and non-bailable.