Overview
- - The Maharashtra Freedom of Religion Bill, 2026 cleared the Legislative Council a day after Assembly passage and now awaits the Governor’s assent.
- - The measure targets conversions through force, fraud, inducement or by marriage, with penalties that include imprisonment of up to seven years and higher terms for repeat offences.
- - Administrative rules require a 60‑day advance notice to district authorities, public display inviting objections, post‑conversion declarations and registration, and allow relatives to file FIRs with the burden of proof on the accused.
- - The law empowers police to act suo motu, permits investigations by officers of sub‑inspector rank or above, enables bans and fines on organisations that facilitate unlawful conversions, and provides for victim rehabilitation and child custody provisions.
- - Shiv Sena (UBT) supported the bill while Congress, NCP (SP) and Samajwadi Party opposed it, pressing for data, a DGP committee report and safeguards against misuse under what the government defends as a law‑and‑order measure similar to statutes in other states.