The Maharashtra Dharma Swatantra Bill, 2026, proposes that individuals seeking to change their religion must provide a 60-day prior notice to the district magistrate and submit post-conversion declarations, while prescribing prison terms of three to seven years and fines of up to ₹5 lakh for violations.
The bill also provides stricter punishment of up to 10 years imprisonment in cases involving women, minors, and members of the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes.
The legislation, scheduled to be tabled in the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly during the ongoing Budget session, seeks to prohibit unlawful religious conversions carried out through force, fraud, coercion, misrepresentation, undue influence, or inducement. The bill defines inducement broadly to include offering gifts, money, or other material benefits, employment, free education in religious institutions, promises of marriage, assurances of a better lifestyle, or claims of divine healing to persuade a person to change religion.
Force under the proposed law includes threats of divine displeasure, social boycott, intimidation, or threats to life, property, or reputation, as well as physical or psychological pressure. Conversions obtained through fraud or misrepresentation, such as concealing religious identity or misleading a person about religious practices or activities, would also be treated as unlawful.
The bill identifies women, minors, and members of the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes as vulnerable groups. Conversions involving such individuals would attract enhanced penalties.
The proposed law also contains provisions related to marriage. If a person converts another through marriage or under the promise of marriage, the conversion would be treated as unlawful. Where a marriage is undertaken solely for the purpose of religious conversion, a competent court may declare the marriage null and void.
The bill introduces a system of prior declaration for individuals intending to change their religion. A person must submit a written notice to the district magistrate at least 60 days before the proposed conversion, providing details such as name, age, occupation, address, present religion, and the religion they intend to adopt. The notice must also include details of the proposed conversion ceremony.
After receiving the notice, the district magistrate or an authorised officer may conduct an inquiry to determine whether the conversion is voluntary and free from coercion, fraud, or inducement. The district administration may also seek a police inquiry and invite objections regarding the proposed conversion.
Following the conversion ceremony, both the individual who converted and the person or organisation conducting the ceremony must submit a declaration to the district authorities within 60 days. The declaration must include details such as the convert’s name, parents’ names, address, previous religion, adopted religion, date and place of conversion, and the procedure followed during the ceremony.
District authorities would maintain an official register of such declarations. If the declaration is not submitted within the prescribed period, the conversion may be treated as invalid.
The bill defines mass conversion as the conversion of two or more persons simultaneously and prescribes stricter punishment in such cases. Offences under the proposed law would be cognisable and non-bailable, and investigations would be conducted by police officers not below the rank of Deputy Superintendent of Police.
Complaints regarding unlawful conversion may be filed by the person who converted or by relatives related by blood, marriage, or adoption. The bill places the burden of proof on the person who conducted the conversion, requiring them to establish that it was voluntary and not carried out through force, fraud, or inducement.
Repeat offenders could face imprisonment of up to 10 years and fines of up to ₹7 lakh. If an institution or organisation is found to have facilitated unlawful conversions, the government may cancel its registration and withdraw financial assistance or grants provided to it.
The bill also includes provisions for the rehabilitation of individuals subjected to forced or fraudulent conversions, including assistance for maintenance, protection, and matters related to the custody of children.
According to the statement of objects and reasons accompanying the bill, the right to freedom of religion guaranteed by the Constitution is subject to public order, morality, and health. The government argues that instances of conversion through coercion, inducement, or fraudulent means have been reported and that vulnerable sections of society are sometimes targeted.
The statement notes that several states, including Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh, Karnataka, Uttarakhand, and Arunachal Pradesh, have enacted laws regulating religious conversions.
If enacted, the Maharashtra Dharma Swatantra Bill would require prior notice to district authorities, administrative scrutiny of conversions, and post-conversion declarations while criminalising conversions carried out through coercion, fraud, or inducement.