The Maharashtra government on Friday introduced the Freedom of Religion Bill, 2026, aimed at curbing religious conversions carried out through force, fraud, coercion or inducement. The proposed legislation seeks to regulate religious conversions while safeguarding the constitutional right to freedom of religion.
The Bill, also referred to as the Dharma Swatantrya Adhiniyam, 2026, was tabled in the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly by Minister of State for Rural Development Pankaj Bhoyar. The state Cabinet had earlier approved the draft legislation on March 5.
The proposed law mandates that individuals intending to convert to another religion must provide a 60-day prior notice to the authorities. After the conversion, the individual will also be required to complete registration within 25 days, as per the provisions of the Bill.
Stringent punishments proposed
The legislation proposes strict penalties for unlawful religious conversions. Those found guilty of carrying out conversions on the pretext of marriage could face imprisonment of up to seven years and a fine of Rs 1 lakh.
In cases involving minors, women, persons of unsound mind, or individuals belonging to Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes, the punishment may extend to seven years of imprisonment and a fine of Rs 5 lakh.
The Bill also prescribes penalties for mass conversions, defined as the conversion of two or more persons simultaneously. Offenders in such cases may face seven years in prison and a fine of Rs 5 lakh. Repeat offenders could face up to 10 years of imprisonment along with a fine of Rs 5 lakh, according to the proposed law.
Additionally, the Bill makes it mandatory for the officer in charge of a police station to register a complaint filed by any individual regarding unlawful conversions.
Ban on conversion through allurement or fraud
According to the draft legislation, no individual or institution will be allowed to convert or attempt to convert a person by offering gifts, money, employment, free education, promises of marriage, improved lifestyle, or claims of divine healing, all of which are classified as “allurement”.
The Bill also prohibits conversions carried out through marriage or promise of marriage if they involve inducement, coercion, deception, or fraudulent means.
Safeguarding Freedom of Religion
In the statement of objects and reasons, the government said that incidents of organised and forceful religious conversions have been reported in various parts of the country, often targeting vulnerable sections through inducements and other means.
While the Constitution guarantees freedom of religion, the government stated that the right is subject to public order, morality and health, and does not extend to forcibly converting another person.
The Bill defines coercion as compelling a person or group to convert against their will, while unlawful conversion refers to conversion carried out through force, fraud, misrepresentation, undue influence, inducement or deceit.
If enacted, Maharashtra will join states such as Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Karnataka and Uttarakhand, which have already implemented laws regulating religious conversions.
The Bill has now been introduced in the Assembly and is expected to be taken up for discussion in the coming days, after which legislators may propose amendments before it is put to a vote.
