Team Goemkarponn
PANAJI: Hindu organisations in Goa have extended their support to the proposed ‘Goa Prohibition of Unlawful Conversion Bill, 2026’, with the Hindu Janajagruti Samiti urging the state government to table the legislation during the ongoing Monsoon Session of the Goa Legislative Assembly.
Addressing journalists outside the Assembly complex on August 31, Hindu Janajagruti Samiti representative Rajashree Gadekar said the proposed Bill was necessary to curb what she described as unlawful religious conversions in the state.
Her statement came after the Goa Government decided on the morning of August 31 to defer the introduction of the Anti-Conversion Bill following demands from MLAs from both the Opposition and ruling parties.
Gadekar alleged that some organisations were taking advantage of poverty among Hindus and carrying out religious conversions by offering monetary inducements. She also raised allegations regarding an increase in incidents that she described as “Love Jihad” in Goa.
She said Article 25 of the Constitution guarantees freedom of religion but argued that the provision does not permit conversion through fraud, force or inducement.
Referring to government data, Gadekar claimed that cases relating to unlawful conversions had been registered in Goa and urged the government to introduce the Bill in the Assembly without succumbing to pressure.
She also called for an open discussion on the proposed legislation, saying it should aim to protect the freedom of religion of the people of Goa.
According to the Hindu Janajagruti Samiti, a memorandum on the issue has already been submitted to Chief Minister Dr Pramod Sawant.
The delegation included Vinod Warkhankar, Arvind Pansare and other members of the organisation.
