The Maharashtra government is preparing to present the Maharashtra Freedom of Religion Bill 2026 in the Legislative Assembly on Friday. This bill aims to address forced conversions by identifying and penalizing individuals and organized groups involved in such activities. The legislation, approved by the state cabinet on March 5, targets conversions carried out through coercion, fraud, or inducement.
A special committee, led by the Director General of Police (DGP) and formed on February 14, 2025, recommended this bill to establish a robust framework to address complaints related to illegal conversions. Once approved by both houses of the state legislature, the bill will proceed for presidential assent before becoming law.
The proposed bill mandates that individuals seeking to convert must notify district authorities 60 days in advance. Additionally, the conversion must be officially registered within 25 days post-conversion to be legally recognized. The legislation also allows blood relatives to file complaints if they suspect coercion or inducement in the conversion process.
The bill includes provisions for stringent administrative procedures and criminal penalties to ensure that conversions are based on personal choice rather than coercion. Organizations found supporting illegal conversions may face bans and fines, while offenders could be sentenced to up to 7 years in prison and fined up to Rs 5 lakh as per the bill’s sections.
