Maharashtra Anti-Conversion Law Comes Into Force, Up to 7 Years in Jail

Maharashtra's Maharashtra Freedom of Religion Act, 2026 has officially come into force after receiving President Droupadi Murmu's assent and being notified in the state gazette on July 30. The new law criminalises religious conversions carried out through force, fraud, coercion, allurement, undue influence, misrepresentation, or marriage related deception, while the state government says it does not affect voluntary conversions or genuine interfaith marriages.

The legislation, passed during the Budget Session in March, requires any person intending to convert to another religion to notify the district magistrate at least 60 days in advance. The individual or organisation conducting the conversion ceremony must also submit a post conversion declaration within the prescribed period, enabling authorities to maintain an official register of conversions.

Under the Act, unlawful religious conversion is punishable with imprisonment of up to seven years for a first offence, while repeat offenders can face 10 years in jail. The law also defines mass conversion as the conversion of two or more persons simultaneously and prescribes stringent penalties. Conversions obtained through unlawful means are treated as null and void, and anyone who attempts, assists, abets or conspires in such conversions can also be prosecuted.

The law further places the burden of proof on the person accused of carrying out the conversion to establish that it was voluntary. It also mandates police to register complaints filed not only by the alleged victim but also by parents, siblings or relatives by blood, marriage or adoption. Investigations must be conducted by officers not below the rank of Deputy Superintendent of Police.

The legislation broadly defines "allurement" to include offers of gifts, money, employment, free education, promises of marriage, a better lifestyle or claims of divine healing intended to influence conversion. It also provides enhanced penalties where the alleged victim is a woman, minor, Scheduled Caste, Scheduled Tribe or person of unsound mind, while institutions found facilitating illegal conversions may face cancellation of registration and government aid.

Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has said the law is aimed solely at preventing forced and fraudulent religious conversions. However, Opposition leaders, Christian organisations and civil rights groups have criticised the legislation, warning that mandatory prior notice, reverse burden of proof and administrative scrutiny of conversions could violate the constitutional right to freedom of religion and individual choice. Similar anti conversion laws in several other states are already facing legal challenges in various courts.