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'Freedom of Religion Bill 2026' Passed in Maharashtra Legislative Council!
Strict Law to Curb Conversions Through Coercion, Fraud, and Inducement Set to be Enacted in the State
Mumbai, March 18, 2026: The Maharashtra Freedom of Religion Bill 2026—introduced to curb religious conversions carried out through coercion, fraud, or inducement—has been passed by a majority vote in the Maharashtra Legislative Council. Following its passage in the Legislative Assembly on March 16, the Bill was presented in the Legislative Council the very next day—March 17—and subsequently received its approval.
The primary objective of this Bill is to maintain social harmony and public order; it designates the conversion of any individual through force, misrepresentation, or inducement as a criminal offense. The government asserts that this Bill applies equally to all religions and does not target any specific faith.
Key Provisions of the Bill:
A written notice must be submitted to the concerned authorities at least 60 days prior to a religious conversion to facilitate an inquiry.
Provisions for imprisonment of up to 7 years and a monetary fine for those engaging in conversions through coercion, fraud, or under the pretext of marriage.
In cases of mass conversions, the penalty includes 7 years of imprisonment and a fine of up to ?5 lakh.
Recidivists (repeat offenders) face imprisonment of up to 10 years and a higher monetary fine.
Those facilitating conversions under the pretext of marriage face 7 years of imprisonment and a fine of ?1 lakh.
Such conversions may be declared null and void.
Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis stated that this law is not directed against any specific religion but aims solely to prevent fraud and coercion. He affirmed that the legislation is 100% constitutional and will safeguard the religious freedom of every citizen. Pankaj Bhoyar, the Minister of State for Home Affairs who tabled the Bill, also emphasized that such legislation is essential for maintaining social peace.
However, the Bill drew criticism from the opposition parties. The Congress and the Nationalist Congress Party (Sharad Pawar faction) termed this unconstitutional and an infringement upon personal liberty. The Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) faction, however, extended its support to the bill.
This bill will be enacted into law following the Governor's assent. Maharashtra will thus become the 13th state to implement such stringent anti-conversion laws.
Strict Law to Curb Conversions Through Coercion, Fraud, and Inducement Set to be Enacted in the State
Mumbai, March 18, 2026: The Maharashtra Freedom of Religion Bill 2026—introduced to curb religious conversions carried out through coercion, fraud, or inducement—has been passed by a majority vote in the Maharashtra Legislative Council. Following its passage in the Legislative Assembly on March 16, the Bill was presented in the Legislative Council the very next day—March 17—and subsequently received its approval.
The primary objective of this Bill is to maintain social harmony and public order; it designates the conversion of any individual through force, misrepresentation, or inducement as a criminal offense. The government asserts that this Bill applies equally to all religions and does not target any specific faith.
Key Provisions of the Bill:
A written notice must be submitted to the concerned authorities at least 60 days prior to a religious conversion to facilitate an inquiry.
Provisions for imprisonment of up to 7 years and a monetary fine for those engaging in conversions through coercion, fraud, or under the pretext of marriage.
In cases of mass conversions, the penalty includes 7 years of imprisonment and a fine of up to ?5 lakh.
Recidivists (repeat offenders) face imprisonment of up to 10 years and a higher monetary fine.
Those facilitating conversions under the pretext of marriage face 7 years of imprisonment and a fine of ?1 lakh.
Such conversions may be declared null and void.
Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis stated that this law is not directed against any specific religion but aims solely to prevent fraud and coercion. He affirmed that the legislation is 100% constitutional and will safeguard the religious freedom of every citizen. Pankaj Bhoyar, the Minister of State for Home Affairs who tabled the Bill, also emphasized that such legislation is essential for maintaining social peace.
However, the Bill drew criticism from the opposition parties. The Congress and the Nationalist Congress Party (Sharad Pawar faction) termed this unconstitutional and an infringement upon personal liberty. The Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) faction, however, extended its support to the bill.
This bill will be enacted into law following the Governor's assent. Maharashtra will thus become the 13th state to implement such stringent anti-conversion laws.
Strict Law to Curb Conversions Through Coercion, Fraud, and Inducement Set to be Enacted in the State
Mumbai, March 18, 2026: The Maharashtra Freedom of Religion Bill 2026—introduced to curb religious conversions carried out through coercion, fraud, or inducement—has been passed by a majority vote in the Maharashtra Legislative Council. Following its passage in the Legislative Assembly on March 16, the Bill was presented in the Legislative Council the very next day—March 17—and subsequently received its approval.
The primary objective of this Bill is to maintain social harmony and public order; it designates the conversion of any individual through force, misrepresentation, or inducement as a criminal offense. The government asserts that this Bill applies equally to all religions and does not target any specific faith.
Key Provisions of the Bill:
A written notice must be submitted to the concerned authorities at least 60 days prior to a religious conversion to facilitate an inquiry.
Provisions for imprisonment of up to 7 years and a monetary fine for those engaging in conversions through coercion, fraud, or under the pretext of marriage.
In cases of mass conversions, the penalty includes 7 years of imprisonment and a fine of up to ?5 lakh.
Recidivists (repeat offenders) face imprisonment of up to 10 years and a higher monetary fine.
Those facilitating conversions under the pretext of marriage face 7 years of imprisonment and a fine of ?1 lakh.
Such conversions may be declared null and void.
Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis stated that this law is not directed against any specific religion but aims solely to prevent fraud and coercion. He affirmed that the legislation is 100% constitutional and will safeguard the religious freedom of every citizen. Pankaj Bhoyar, the Minister of State for Home Affairs who tabled the Bill, also emphasized that such legislation is essential for maintaining social peace.
However, the Bill drew criticism from the opposition parties. The Congress and the Nationalist Congress Party (Sharad Pawar faction) termed this unconstitutional and an infringement upon personal liberty. The Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) faction, however, extended its support to the bill.
This bill will be enacted into law following the Governor's assent. Maharashtra will thus become the 13th state to implement such stringent anti-conversion laws.
