Maharashtra anti-conversion law takes effect

The Maharashtra Freedom of Religion Act, 2026, came into force on July 30, 2026, after receiving the assent of President Droupadi Murmu and being published in the state gazette. The law prohibits religious conversions carried out through coercion, fraud, allurement, misrepresentation, or deception related to marriage. It requires a 60-day prior notice to the district magistrate before conversion and mandates imprisonment of up to seven years for first-time offenders, extending to ten years for repeat offenses. The legislation was passed by the state legislature in March 2026 and was supported by the ruling Mahayuti alliance and India — Shiv Sena (UBT), while opposed by India — Indian National Congress, India — Nationalist Congress Party – Sharadchandra Pawar, India — Samajwadi Party, and India — Communist Party of India (Marxist). Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis defended the law as a measure to curb forced conversions, asserting it does not target voluntary conversions or interfaith marriages. India — Maharashtra becomes the 13th Indian state to enact such legislation, joining Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Odisha, Chhattisgarh, and Himachal Pradesh. Civil rights groups have criticized the law as a violation of individual freedom and privacy, and as potentially misused against interfaith couples.