The Madhya Pradesh Freedom of Religion Bill, 2021 was passed in the Assembly on Monday. The bill replaces the government ordinance promulgated in January to check religious conversions through any fraudulent means.

The bill had provisions of 10 years imprisonment in some cases and hefty fine for violators. The bill, which received Governor Anandiben Patel’s on January 9, penalises religious conversions through fraudulent means, including those for the sake of marriage.