President Assents Maharashtra Anti-Conversion Law

The Maharashtra Freedom of Religion Act, 2026, has received the assent of President Droupadi Murmu, paving the way for its implementation in the state. The law aims to regulate religious conversions and impose penalties on those who engage in unlawful conversions through force, fraud, or coercion.

The legislation was passed by the state legislature during the Budget Session and has now cleared its final constitutional hurdle. The law will come into effect after the Maharashtra government issues a notification specifying its date of enforcement.

The Act targets unlawful religious conversions and imposes stringent penalties for conversions carried out through force, fraud, coercion, misrepresentation, allurement, or undue influence. It also prohibits offering money, gifts, employment, free education, promises of marriage, assurances of a better lifestyle, or claims of divine healing to induce a person to change religion.

Offences under the Act will be cognizable and non-bailable, with those convicted facing imprisonment of up to seven years and a fine of up to Rs 1 lakh. Repeat offenders can face imprisonment of up to 10 years and a fine of up to Rs 7 lakh. The legislation also provides for rehabilitation assistance to victims of unlawful conversion.

The Act empowers the blood relatives of a person who has allegedly been subjected to unlawful conversion to file an FIR. Police will be required to register such complaints, and an officer can also take suo motu cognisance if there is reason to believe that a conversion has taken place or is being attempted in violation of the law.

Investigations under the Act will have to be conducted by a police officer of the rank of sub-inspector or above, while cases registered under its provisions will be tried by a sessions court. The legislation also makes those who abet, facilitate, or assist an unlawful conversion liable for punishment.

The burden of proof will be on the person alleged to have caused or abetted the conversion. The state government will now decide when to notify the Act, after which its provisions will come into force.

The Maharashtra Freedom of Religion Act, 2026, is a significant development in the state's efforts to curb unlawful religious conversions. The law's implementation is expected to have a major impact on the state's religious landscape.

In the context of India's diverse religious landscape, the law aims to protect the rights of individuals to practice their faith without fear of coercion or manipulation. The legislation is also seen as a response to concerns about forced conversions and the need to regulate religious conversions.

The implementation of the law will be closely watched, and its impact on the state's religious communities will be monitored. The Maharashtra government's decision to notify the Act will be a crucial step in its implementation, and it is expected that the law will come into effect soon.

The significance of the Maharashtra Freedom of Religion Act, 2026, lies in its attempt to strike a balance between the right to freedom of religion and the need to prevent unlawful conversions. The law's provisions are designed to protect the rights of individuals and prevent exploitation, while also ensuring that the freedom to practice one's faith is respected.

In conclusion, the President's assent to the Maharashtra Freedom of Religion Act, 2026, marks a significant milestone in the state's efforts to regulate religious conversions. The law's implementation is expected to have a major impact on the state's religious landscape, and its provisions are designed to protect the rights of individuals and prevent exploitation.