Maharashtra Passes Anti-Conversion Bill
Analysis based on 18 articles · First reported Mar 13, 2026 · Last updated Mar 17, 2026
The passing of the India — Maharashtra Freedom of Religion Bill, 2026, by India — Maharashtra could lead to increased scrutiny and potential legal challenges, similar to those faced by India — Uttar Pradesh, India — Gujarat, and India — Uttarakhand. This legislative action may influence social dynamics and potentially impact businesses or organizations involved in religious or social activities within India — Maharashtra, particularly those that might be perceived as facilitating unlawful conversions.
The India — Maharashtra government introduced and passed the India — Maharashtra Freedom of Religion Bill, 2026, in the Odisha — Odisha Legislative Assembly. The bill, introduced by Minister of State for Home Pankaj Bhoyar, aims to prohibit religious conversions carried out through coercion, fraud, inducement, or marriage. It mandates stringent penalties, including imprisonment and fines, with higher punishments for conversions involving minors, women, or members of Scheduled Castes and Tribes. The legislation requires individuals and institutions involved in conversions to provide 60 days' advance notice to the district magistrate and places the burden of proof on the person facilitating the conversion to demonstrate its lawfulness. Offences under the bill are cognisable and non-bailable. The bill has sparked controversy, with civil society groups raising concerns about potential curtailment of rights and encouragement of vigilante actions, similar to challenges faced by other states like India — Uttar Pradesh, India — Gujarat, India — Madhya Pradesh, India — Karnataka, and India — Uttarakhand that have enacted comparable laws.
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