Amit Shah: BJP to Introduce Law Banning Religious Conversions if it Comes to Power in Punjab

Moga: Union Home Minister Amit Shah has announced that if the BJP comes to power in Punjab, a law will be introduced to ban religious conversions. Shah made this controversial statement while addressing the Badlav Rally organized in Moga ahead of the 2027 assembly elections.

The BJP government in Chhattisgarh has already enacted a law that makes religious conversion, which does not comply with prescribed regulations, a punishable offense, with imprisonment of up to ten years. The law was introduced swiftly in the state, citing concerns that Christian missionaries were actively involved in religious conversions. Both Prime Minister Modi and Amit Shah are reportedly planning to introduce a similar law in Punjab ahead of the elections next year.

Amit Shah has accused the Congress and the Aam Aadmi Party of colluding on the issue of religious conversion in Punjab, claiming that it is a major challenge for the state and that both parties are supporting it for vote-bank politics.

In his speech, Shah politicised the sacrifice of Sikh Gurus, including Guru Tegh Bahadur. He stated that if Guru Tegh Bahadur had not sacrificed his life to prevent religious conversions, Hindus would not have remained in India. Shah further argued that the state government is remaining silent on the issue in an effort to protect vote-bank politics.

Earlier this month, during an event in Mumbai, Shah also criticised the Bhagwant Mann government in Punjab over the issue of religious conversion. This move by the central minister is seen as part of the BJP's efforts to strengthen its presence in Punjab, focusing on Sikh history and the issue of religious conversion.