Maharashtra Freedom of Religion Act, 2026 Comes Into Force; Forced Religious Conversions Now Punishable With Up to 10 Years in Jail

The Maharashtra Freedom of Religion Act, 2026 has officially come into force after receiving the assent of President Droupadi Murmu and being published in the state gazette, giving legal effect to one of the state’s most debated legislations in recent years.

The law is intended to prevent religious conversions carried out through force, coercion, fraud, misrepresentation, undue influence, allurement or deceptive promises, including those linked to marriage. State officials have maintained that the legislation is aimed at protecting individuals from unlawful conversions and does not restrict voluntary changes of faith or genuine interfaith marriages.

The legislation was approved by both Houses of the Maharashtra Legislature during the Budget Session earlier this year before being sent for constitutional approval. Following the President’s assent, the state government completed the final notification process, bringing the Act into operation.

Prior Notice Required Before Religious Conversion

One of the key provisions of the Act requires any individual intending to voluntarily adopt another religion to submit a declaration to the District Magistrate at least 60 days before the proposed conversion. Certain formalities must also be completed after the conversion in accordance with the prescribed procedure.

Officials say the advance notice requirement is intended to allow authorities to verify that the conversion is voluntary and free from coercion or fraudulent influence.

Stringent Punishment for Violations

The Act prescribes strict penalties for anyone found guilty of facilitating or carrying out unlawful religious conversions.

A person convicted for the first offence can face imprisonment of up to seven years. Repeat offenders may be punished with up to ten years in prison, making it one of the stricter anti-conversion laws among Indian states.

The legislation also empowers parents, siblings and other close relatives of an affected person to file complaints if they believe a conversion has taken place through illegal means.

Another significant provision places the responsibility on the person conducting the conversion to demonstrate that it was carried out voluntarily and without prohibited methods.

Political Debate During Passage

The Bill witnessed extensive political debate when it was introduced in the Maharashtra Legislature.

The ruling Mahayuti alliance argued that the law was necessary to prevent exploitation through forced or fraudulent religious conversions. Opposition parties, including Congress, NCP (Sharad Pawar) and the Samajwadi Party, raised objections to several provisions of the legislation. Shiv Sena (UBT), however, extended its support to the Bill during the legislative process.

Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis had earlier stated that the objective of the law was not to interfere with personal religious freedom but to curb conversions obtained through coercion, fraud or inducement.

Maharashtra Joins Several Other States

With the enforcement of the Act, Maharashtra joins a growing list of states—including Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Odisha, Chhattisgarh and Himachal Pradesh—that have enacted laws regulating religious conversions through similar legal frameworks.

While supporters view the legislation as a safeguard against unlawful conversions, critics have previously expressed concerns regarding its implementation and its potential impact on personal liberty. The practical application of the law is expected to be closely watched as authorities begin enforcing its provisions across the state.