Fadnavis Defends Maharashtra Freedom Of Religion Bill 2026 On Conversions

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Monday defended the state government’s decision to introduce the Maharashtra Freedom of Religion Bill 2026, asserting that the proposed law does not single out any community. He stated that the legislation seeks to prevent unlawful religious conversions carried out through coercion, inducement, or deceit.

Addressing reporters, Devendra Fadnavis said authorities proposed the Bill after observing several such cases. He said some women were allegedly lured into relationships, married, and later abandoned.

Such circumstances, he said, often create serious social and legal complications, particularly concerning children born from those relationships.

The Chief Minister maintained that the legislation aims to address such concerns and ensure that conversions occur solely through personal conviction rather than pressure or manipulation.

Fadnavis emphasised that several other Indian states have already enacted similar laws to regulate unlawful conversions.

The Maharashtra government tabled the Bill in the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly on March 13.

Minister of State for Home Pankaj Bhoyar formally introduced the proposal. The Bill requires individuals intending to convert to notify district authorities at least sixty days in advance.

The conversion must then be officially registered within twenty-five days to remain legally valid.

The proposed legislation allows close blood relatives to lodge complaints if they suspect that a conversion occurred through coercion or inducement.

Authorities may ban organisations found guilty of facilitating illegal conversions.

Under Section 9, offenders could face imprisonment of up to seven years along with a financial penalty reaching ₹5 lakh.

The Bill also places the burden of proof on individuals or institutions organising the conversion to demonstrate that the process complied with legal provisions.

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