Maharashtra clears bill that criminalizes 'unlawful' religious conversions
Maharashtra approved a draft of the Dharma Swatantrya Adhiniyam, 2026, a new law that bans religious conversions done by force, fraud, inducement, or by marriage if they involve coercion, fraud, inducement, or deceit.
The bill also clarifies that if parents are from different religions and the child is born of a marriage arising out of an unlawful conversion, their child will be considered to follow the mother's original religion before any conversion.
Proposed penalties and safeguards
This bill proposes strict penalties: up to seven years in jail and a ₹1 lakh fine for marriage-based conversions, and even tougher fines for converting minors or vulnerable groups.
Anyone wanting to convert has to give advance notice and make an official declaration, otherwise the conversion won't count.
Plus, blood relatives can file police complaints if they suspect an unlawful conversion.
The government hopes these steps will protect people's freedom of belief and prevent misuse of religion in personal matters.