Mumbai: The state’s anti-conversion law, called the Maharashtra Freedom of Religion Act, 2026, is now in force in the state after being published in the official gazette on receiving the assent of President Droupadi Murmu.Officials said the Act was published in the official gazette on July 30 and came into force on the same date. “Legal action may now be initiated in cases involving unlawful religious conversion in the state strictly in accordance with the provisions of the new Act,” a senior official said.The legislation was passed by the legislature during the budget session in March before being sent to the governor and then the President for assent.The Act prohibits religious conversions carried out through coercion, fraud, allurement, misrepresentation or under the promise of marriage. It mandates imprisonment of up to seven years for violations, rising to 10 years for repeat offenders.It mandates a 60-day prior notice to the district magistrate before conversion, allowing complaints by parents, siblings and other relatives of the convert.The bill had been opposed by the Congress, NCP SP, Samajwadi party and CPI (M) in the assembly but was supported by the SS UBT.Congress MLAs had argued in the state assembly that the legislation was unconstitutional and an infringement on the right to privacy. The Samajwadi Party held that it was targeted at a particular community. The Opposition had wanted the legislation to be referred to a joint select committee.Defending the legislation, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis had said it was intended to curb forced or fraudulent religious conversions and was not aimed at voluntary conversions or interfaith marriages.At least 12 other states already have an anti-conversion legislation in place, including Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, Chhatisgarh, Uttar Pradesh and Himachal Pradesh. Also, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Haryana and Rajasthan.
