Maharashtra passes Freedom of Religion Bill 2026: 7-year jail, Rs 5 lakh fine provisions | Explained

Maharashtra Assembly

• Maharashtra Assembly passed Freedom of Religion Bill 2026.
• Strict penalties for forced, fraudulent, or mass conversions.
• Prior notice and post-conversion reporting required by law.

Did our AI summary help?

The Maharashtra Legislative Assembly on Monday night passed the Maharashtra Freedom of Religion Bill 2026 by voice vote, introducing stringent provisions to curb religious conversions carried out through coercion, fraud, inducement or marriage.

According to the bill, individuals involved in unlawful religious conversions carried out under the pretext of marriage could face up to seven years in prison and a fine of Rs 1 lakh.

Here is a breakdown of the key provisions of the proposed law:

Key punishments under the bill

The legislation prescribes strict penalties for different types of unlawful conversions.

• Conversion through marriage, coercion, fraud or inducement can lead to imprisonment of up to seven years and a fine of Rs 1 lakh.
• Conversions involving a minor, a woman, a person of unsound mind, or a member of the Scheduled Castes or Scheduled Tribes could attract seven years in jail and a fine of Rs 5 lakh.
• Mass conversions are punishable with seven years of imprisonment and a fine of Rs 5 lakh.
•  Repeat offenders may face up to 10 years in prison and a fine of Rs 5 lakh.

Notice requirement before conversion

One of the key provisions requires a person intending to convert to another religion to submit a 60-day prior notice to the district magistrate.

This clause drew objections from some members in the Assembly, who argued that it could be unjust and against constitutional guarantees of religious freedom.

Responding to the criticism, Pankaj Bhoyar said the provision is intended to ensure that conversions take place voluntarily and not through fraud, force or inducement.

“The objective of this provision is only to verify that the conversion is taking place out of free will and not through fraud, force or inducement,” he said during the debate.

Post-conversion reporting rule

The bill also requires authorities to be informed within 21 days after a conversion takes place. Failure to do so could result in the conversion being treated as invalid.

Bhoyar said the requirement was meant for administrative record-keeping and to prevent legal disputes in the future.

Who can file a complaint?

The law allows relatives or other persons to file complaints regarding suspected forced conversions.

According to the minister, this provision is meant to ensure protection in cases where victims may not be able to approach the police themselves due to pressure or threats.

Protection for vulnerable groups

Bhoyar said the legislation seeks to safeguard women, minors and members of the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes from forced or fraudulent religious conversions.

The bill’s statement of objects and reasons states that incidents of forceful and organised religious conversions have been reported in several parts of the country, and vulnerable sections are often targeted through inducements.

Child’s religion in case of illegal conversion

The bill also states that if a marriage takes place based on an illegal conversion and a child is born, the child will be considered to follow the mother’s original religion before conversion.

The government’s stand The minister said the law does not take away the right of adults to change their religion, noting that the constitution guarantees freedom to profess, practice and propagate religion.

However, he said, states have the authority to enact laws to curb conversion carried out through deception, coercion or inducement.

Bhoyar also said the legislation is not aimed at targeting any particular religion or community and would apply equally to all.

After the debate, the bill was declared passed by presiding officer Sanjay Kelkar.