Maharashtra anti-conversion law comes into force; violators face up to 7 years in jail
Maharashtra's anti-conversion law has come into force following President Droupadi Murmu's assent and its publication in the state gazette, with those found guilty of religious conversion through coercion, fraud, inducement or marriage-related deception facing up to seven years in prison.
The Maharashtra Freedom of Religion Act, 2026, was notified in the state gazette on July 30 after the Bill was passed by both Houses of the state legislature during the budget session in March.
Under the law, a person intending to convert to another religion must inform the district magistrate at least 60 days in advance and comply with prescribed procedures after the conversion.
The legislation makes religious conversion through force, coercion, fraud, undue influence, allurement, misrepresentation or deception related to marriage a punishable offence.
A first-time offender can face up to seven years in prison, while the punishment can extend to 10 years for repeat offences.
The law also allows the victim's parents, siblings and other close relatives to file a complaint.
Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis had earlier said the legislation was aimed at curbing forced and fraudulent religious conversions. The state government has maintained that it does not target voluntary religious conversions or interfaith marriages.
With the new law, Maharashtra has joined at least a dozen states, including Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Odisha, Chhattisgarh and Himachal Pradesh, that have enacted legislation regulating religious conversions.
