Maharashtra tables anti-conversion bill in budget session to curb religious conversions

The Maharashtra government on Friday tabled the proposed Maharashtra Freedom of Religion Act, 2026 in the state Assembly during the ongoing Budget Session, days after it was approved by the state Cabinet.

The Bill, commonly referred to as the Anti-Conversion Bill, aims to curb religious conversions carried out through force, fraud, coercion or allurement. Under the proposed law, such conversions would be treated as a non-bailable offence, and the accused could face arrest and strict legal action.

According to the government, the legislation is intended to prevent fraudulent or forced religious conversions while protecting an individual’s constitutional right to practise and propagate religion. The Bill also includes provisions for penalties and cancellation of registration of organisations found involved in illegal conversions, with repeat offenders likely to face stricter punishment.

State minister Nitesh Rane said the proposed law would be stricter and more effective than similar anti-conversion laws in states such as Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat.

The draft legislation was prepared after a committee headed by the Director General of Police (DGP), Maharashtra, studied existing laws in other states and examined complaints related to forced or fraudulent conversions.

What the anti-conversion bill means:

An anti-conversion law seeks to prevent religious conversion that occurs through pressure, deception, financial incentives, or marriage-related inducements, while allowing voluntary conversion carried out without coercion. The proposed Maharashtra law aims to create a legal framework to punish those who misuse religion to influence or force people to change their faith.

(With inputs from syndicated feed)