Indian state passes anti-conversion bill

NEW DELHI, India — The Congress Party has passed an anti-conversion bill Dec. 30 in the northern state of Himachal Pradesh, where only 8,000 of the more than 6 million people are Christian.

Under the bill, any person found forcibly converting another person could be imprisoned for up to two years and/or fined up to 25,000 rupees ($565). Anyone wishing to convert to another religion must give prior notice of at least 30 days to the district government or be fined up to 1,000 rupees ($23).