THE GOAN | PANAJI
The Goa Cabinet has cleared the Goa Prohibition of Unlawful Conversion of Religion Bill, 2026, and it is now set to be introduced in the State Legislative Assembly. The Bill seeks to prohibit religious conversions carried out through force, fraud, coercion, undue influence, allurement or marriage, with penalties varying from life imprisonment to fines and compensation for the victims. While these requirements are not entirely new in India, public reactions to the proposed Bill in Goa have been mixed.
No forceful conversion
“Goa has always been a peaceful state with communal harmony and brotherhood amongst all communities since and before Liberation. So where is the question of forceful conversion?” questions a senior citizen from Fatorda. He believes the authorities should think twice before going forward with this Bill. “Since there is no forceful conversion happening, there is no need for the Bill,” he states.
While some oppose it strongly, there is yet another section of the public who believe that a law like this is much needed in Goa. Savio Fernandes states that since there is no forced conversion happening in Goa, there is no need for anyone to simply oppose the Bill. “It’s an anti-conversion Bill, and it applies to all. If it was specifically for any particular religion then yes, that would definitely not be right, but it’s equal for all. The ones who want to genuinely change will follow the right process,” he says, adding that there is no reason for anybody to oppose it so strongly.
Long process ahead
“Bills don’t become laws automatically; just discussing them doesn’t make it a rule,” explains a 17-year-old political science student, while pointing out that the Bill still has a long process to go through before it becomes a law.
Concerns over wording
For Nikita Naik, it is not about the Bill itself but the details that are included. “The wording of the Bill is vague. The Goa Bill states that any person may give information regarding a contravention. While I know checks will take place, it could create problems,” she says, adding that if anyone can complain, someone could also take advantage of it in a negative way. “While the Bill is still yet to pass, I believe it was needed,” she says.
Severity of punishment
The proposed Goa law also stands out for the severity of its punishment. While several existing state laws prescribe maximum sentences of between three and five years for ordinary unlawful conversion, newer laws have higher penalties for serious cases. Goa’s proposal goes further by allowing imprisonment extending to the end of the convict’s life in certain circumstances.
“Having a law to prevent forced conversion is one thing, but life imprisonment seems too much. The complaints should be thoroughly checked before any action is taken,” remarks a higher secondary school teacher from Corlim. “If someone just decides to complain tomorrow and if the complaint is not verified thoroughly, it will obviously lead to so many problems,” she states.
Religious freedom concerns
The proposal isn’t limited to just an individual and his or her relationship with his or her religion. It has also raised several concerns over religious freedom and the individual’s decision regarding inter-religious relationships. “For young people, inter-religious relationships and marriages aren’t new. If there is a law where a marriage can be questioned because conversion is linked to it, it could create fear and uncertainty for couples,” mentions a first-year law student. She explains that the Bill does not seek to prohibit inter-religious marriages themselves. “The concern is when the marriage is allegedly used specifically as a means of carrying out an unlawful conversion, in which case the marriage could be declared void,” she says, adding that before the Bill reaches the Assembly or is passed, better awareness about the terms should be spread.
With the Bill now set to be placed before the Goa Legislative Assembly, the debate is likely to move beyond the public and social media into the House. Although the government maintains that the proposed legislation is aimed at protecting people from unlawful conversion and does not interfere with a person’s freedom to choose their religion, critics are seeking more clarity on its provisions, especially the complaint mechanism, advance notice requirements, marriage clause and the severity of the punishment. For now, though, the Bill remains only a proposal, and its final provisions and how they will affect people shall depend on the decisions taken in the Assembly.
