Mumbai, March 13 (NationPress) The Maharashtra state government is poised to introduce the Maharashtra Freedom of Religion Bill 2026 in the Legislative Assembly today, initiating measures to identify and penalize individuals and organized groups involved in ‘forced’ conversions.

This proposed legislation seeks to combat religious conversions that occur through coercion, deception, or enticing offers. The state cabinet approved the bill during a meeting on March 5, following a review by a special high-level committee.

The committee, led by the Director General of Police (DGP), was formed on February 14, 2025, to explore legal frameworks and create a robust system for addressing complaints related to unlawful conversions.

Upon receiving approval from both houses of the state legislature, the bill will be forwarded to the President for assent, becoming law once the presidential approval is granted.

The agenda released by the Maharashtra Legislative Secretariat indicates that the Bill will be tabled today in the assembly after the question hour.

This legislation outlines strict administrative requirements and criminal sanctions to ensure that conversions are based on personal choice rather than coercion.

As per the Bill's provisions, individuals wishing to convert must give a 60-day advance notice to district authorities. After the conversion, the change must be officially registered within 25 days to hold legal validity.

Moreover, the Bill allows blood relatives of the individual undergoing conversion to lodge a complaint if they suspect that the process involves coercion or inducement.

Section 14 grants the state the authority to prohibit and penalize organizations found guilty of facilitating or funding illegal conversions. Section 9 delineates the judicial repercussions for offenders, which may include imprisonment for up to 7 years and fines of up to Rs 5 lakh.

The government has asserted that this law is essential for protecting vulnerable individuals from predatory conversion tactics.

Ministers, including Ports and Shopping Minister Nitesh Rane, a staunch supporter of legislation against forced conversions, emphasized that while the Indian Constitution ensures the freedom to practice any religion, it does not permit converting others through misrepresentation, coercion, or inducement.

This legislation is part of a broader trend observed in other states such as Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, and Gujarat, which have enacted similar Freedom of Religion laws over recent years.