)१(

L. A. BILL No. XX OF 2026.

A BILL

to provide for protection of right to freedom of religion and prohibition of

unlawful conversion from one religion to another religion and for matters

connected therewith or incidental thereto.

WHEREAS it is expedient to enact a law to provide for protection of

right to freedom of religion and prohibition of unlawful conversion from one

religion to another religion and for matters connected therewith or incidental

RNI No. MAHBIL /2009/40123

महाारााष्ट्रट शाासन रााजपत्र

असाधाारण भााग पाच–अ

वर्षष १२, अंक ९ ]

शुक्रवार, मार्चच १३, २०२६/फााल्गुन २२, शकेे १९४७

[ पृष्ठेे ११, किं�ंमत : रुपयेे ३६.००

असाधाारण क्रमांं�क १५

प्रााधि�कृृत प्रकााशन

महाारााष्ट्र वि�धाानसभेत व महाारााष्ट्र वि�धाानपरि�षषदेेत सादर केलेेली वि�धेेयकेे (इंंग्रजी अनुवाद).

MAHARASHTRA LEGISLATURE SECRETARIAT

The following Bill was introduced in the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly on the 13th March,

2026 is published under Rule 117 of the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly Rules :—

भााग पााच-अ—१५-१

thereto; it is hereby enacted in the Seventy-seventh Year of the Republic of

India as follows :—

CHAPTER I

Preliminary

1. (1) This Act may be called the Maharashtra Freedom of Religion Act,

2026.

(2) It shall come into force on such date as the State Government may, by

notification in the Official Gazette, appoint.

2. In this Act, unless the context otherwise requires,—

(a) “allurement” means an offer of any temptation in the form of,—

(i) any gift, gratification, easy money or material benefit either

in cash or kind; or

(ii) employment; or

(iii) free education in school or college run by any religious body

or institution; or

(iv) promise to marry; or

(v) better lifestyle, divine healing; or

(vi) portraying practice, rituals and ceremonies or, any integral

part of a religion in a detrimental way vis-a-vis another religion; or

(vii) glorifying one religion vis-a-vis another religion;

(b) “coercion” means compelling an individual, family or group to act

against his or their will, by use of psychological pressure or physical force

causing bodily injury or threat thereof, including the threat of divine

displeasure or social ex-communication or threatening of dire consequences

with regard to life, limb or property of the related persons;

authorized by the Government;

(d) “conversion” means renouncing one’s own religion and adopting

another religion;

(e) “deceit” means dishonest behaviour, trying to make somebody

believe to something which is not true;

(f) “force” includes use of criminal force or threat of injury of any kind

to the person converted or sought to be converted or to any other person

or property;

(g) “fraudulent” means impersonation of any kind by false name, false

surname, false religious symbol, fraudulent contrivance or otherwise,

acting individually or in collusion;

(h) “institution” includes all legal entities (registered or unregistered),

educational institutions, religious, social or charitable organizations,

orphanages, old age homes, hospitals, association of persons, Non-

Governmental Organizations, and such other organizations;

Short title and

commencement.

Definitions.

महाराष्ट्रõ शासन रा

असाधारण भाग पाच–अ, मार्च १३, २०२६/फाल्गुन २२, शके १९

(i) “mass conversion” means conversion from one religion to another

religion of two or more persons at the same time;

(j) “minor” means a person under eighteen years of age;

(k) “prescribed” means prescribed by rules made by the Government

under this Act ;

(l) “religion” includes any organized system of worship pattern, faith,

belief, worship or lifestyle, as prevailing in India or any part of it, or defined

under any law or custom for the time being in force;

(m) “religion converter” means any person or institution of any religion

that perform any act of conversion from one religion to another religion;

(o) “undue influence” includes relations subsisting between the

persons are such that the religion converter is in a position to dominate

the will of the other and uses that position to convert such other person

from one religion to another religion;

(p) “unlawful conversion” means conversion of person from one religion

to another, by use or practice of allurement, coercion, deceit, force,

misrepresentation, threat, undue influence, or any fraudulent means, or

by brainwashing through medium of education or by any other such means.

CHAPTER II

Prohibition of Unlawful Conversion

3. (1) No person, acting individually or in collusion with other individual

or institution, shall convert or attempt to convert or assist or abet or connive

or conspire in converting, either directly or otherwise, any other person from

one religion to another religion by,—

(a) use or practice of,—

(i) allurement,

(ii) coercion,

(iii) deceit,

(iv) force,

(v) misrepresentation,

(vi) threat,

(vii) undue influence, or

(viii) any fraudulent means; or

(b) solemnization of marriage or relationship in the nature of marriage

or by promise of marriage by use or practice of any of the acts mentioned

in clause (a) above.

(2) Any conversion made in contravention of the provisions of sub-section (1)

shall be an offence punishable under this Act.

(3) Any conversion made in contravention of the provisions of sub-section (1)

shall be null and void.

Prohibition

of unlawful

conversion.

महाराष्ट्रõ शासन रा

असाधारण भाग पाच–अ, मार्च १३, २०२६/फाल्गुन २२, शके १९

4. Any marriage solemnized with the sole purpose of unlawful conversion

shall be declared as null and void by the court on a petition presented by either

party to the marriage against other party thereto.

5. (1) Any child born out of marriage or relationship in the nature of

marriage, caused due to unlawful conversion shall,-

(a) be deemed to belong to the religion of mother before such marriage

or relationship in the nature of marriage,

(b) have succession rights in the property of mother and father as per

the prevailing succession laws applicable to the mother and father, and

the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023.

(2) The custody of the child shall be with the mother of the child unless

the court decides otherwise.

CHAPTER III

Procedure for Lawful Conversion

6. (1) Any person, who intends to convert from one religion to another

religion, and any person or institution which intends to organise conversion

ceremony, shall give a notice sixty days prior to such proposed conversion, to

the Competent Authority where such conversion is proposed to be organized,

in such form and in such manner, as may be prescribed.

(2) The Competent Authority shall, after receiving the notice under sub-

section (1), notify the proposed religious conversion on notice board of the office

of the Competent Authority and in the office of the village panchayat or in the

office of local authority where such person or persons reside, calling for

objections within thirty days from issuance of notice.

(3) If any objections are received or otherwise, the Competent Authority

may make an enquiry through police with regard to the intention, purpose or

cause of the proposed conversion.

(4) If the Competent Authority after the said inquiry is satisfied that the

conversion is in contravention of the provisions of the Act, then he shall cause

the concerned police authorities to initiate criminal proceedings for contravention

of the provisions of the Act.

7. (1) The converted person and the person or institution which has

organised the conversion shall submit a declaration to the Competent Authority

in such form and in such manner as may be prescribed, within twenty-one days

from the date of such conversion.

(2) The declaration shall contain the requisite details i.e. the particulars

of the converted person such as name, age, permanent address, the present

place of residence, mother’s name, father’s name, spouse’s name, the religion

to which the converted person originally belonged and the religion to which he

is converted, the date and place of conversion and nature of process gone through

for conversion, etc.

(3) The Competent Authority shall record the factum of declaration made

by such person or institution.

Marriage for

sole purpose

of unlawful

conversion to be

null and void.

Right of child.

46 of

2023.

Declaration

of intention of

conversion.

Declaration

after

conversion.

महाराष्ट्रõ शासन रा

असाधारण भाग पाच–अ, मार्च १३, २०२६/फाल्गुन २२, शके १९

(4) If the person or institution fails to submit declaration of such conversion

as specified in sub-section (1), then such conversion shall be null and void.

CHAPTER IV

Offences and Punishment

8. (1) The converted person, parents, brother or sister of such person or

any other person who is related to such person by blood, marriage or adoption,

may lodge first information report of unlawful conversion to the police.

(2) It shall be mandatory for the police officer in charge of the police station

to register a complaint made by any person specified in sub-section (1).

(3) If police officer is satisfied that the conversion is made or is being made

in contravention of the provisions of the Act, then he shall take suo motu

cognizance of such contravention.

9. (1) Whoever contravenes the provisions of section 3 shall be punished

with imprisonment for a term of seven years and shall also be liable to fine of

one lakh rupees.

(2) Whoever contravenes the provisions of section 3 in respect of a minor

or a person of unsound mind or a woman or a person belonging to the Scheduled

Castes or Scheduled Tribes shall be punished with imprisonment for a term of

seven years and shall also be liable to fine of five lakh rupees.

(3) Whoever contravenes the provisions of section 3 in respect of mass

conversion shall be punished with imprisonment for a term of seven years and

shall also be liable to fine of five lakh rupees.

(4) Whoever have been previously convicted of an offence under this Act,

has again committed an offence punishable under this Act, such person or

institution shall be punished with imprisonment for a term of ten years and

shall also be liable to fine of seven lakh rupees.

10. (1) If any institution or organisation violates the provisions of this

Act, the registration of such organisation or institution under any law for time

being in force, may be cancelled by the Authority competent to do so and the

person or persons in charge of the affairs of the organisations or institutions,

as the case may be, shall be punished with imprisonment for a term of seven

years and shall also be liable to fine of five lakh rupees.

(2) The State Government shall not provide any financial aid or grant to

such organization or institution violating the provisions of this Act.

11. If an offence is committed under this Act, each of the following shall

be deemed to have taken part in committing the offence and shall be deemed

to be guilty of the offence and shall be charged as if he has actually committed

the said offence, that is to say,—

(i) every person who actually does the act which constitutes the

offence;

(ii) every person who does or omit to do any act for the purpose of

enabling or aiding another person to commit the offence;

(iii) every person who aids or abets another in committing the offence;

Person

competent

to lodge

complaint.

Offences and

punishment.

Penalty for

institution.

Parties to

offence.

भााग पााच-अ—१५-२

महाराष्ट्रõ शासन रा

असाधारण भाग पाच–अ, मार्च १३, २०२६/फाल्गुन २२, शके १९

(iv) any person who counsels, convinces or procures any other person

to commit the offence.

12. Any person who executes or endorses or attests any document

regarding the conversion made in contravention of the provisions of this Act,

shall be deemed to be abetting or aiding the offence and shall be liable to be

punished under the provisions of this Act.

13. The burden of proof that a religious conversion was not made in

contravention of the provisions of this Act shall lie on the person who has caused

such conversion and on the abettor who assists, aids or abets such conversion.

14. The investigation of any offence punishable under this Act shall be

made by an officer not below the rank of Sub-Inspector of Police.

15. (1) Notwithstanding anything contained in the Bharatiya Nagarik

Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, every offence committed under this Act shall be

cognizable and non-bailable.

(2) All offences under this Act shall be triable by the Court of Sessions.

CHAPTER V

Miscellaneous

16. (1) The victims of religious conversion made in contravention of the

provisions of this Act shall be entitled for maintenance and custody of children.

(2) The State Government shall provide such rehabilitation support to the

victims of unlawful conversion, as may be prescribed.

17. (1) The State Government may make rules, by notification published

in the Official Gazette, to carry out the purposes of this Act.

(2) Every rule made under this Act shall be laid as soon as may be, after

it is made, before each House of the State Legislature, while it is in session for

a total period of thirty days, which may be comprised in one session or in two

or more successive sessions, and if, before the expiry of the session in which it

is so laid or the session immediately following, both Houses agree in making

any modification in the rule or both Houses agree that the rule should not be

made, and notify their decision to that effect in the Official Gazette, the rule

shall from the date of publication of such decision in the Official Gazette, have

effect only in such modified form or be of no effect, as the case may be; so

however, that any such modification or annulment shall be without prejudice

to the validity of anything previously done or omitted to be done under that

rule.

18. (1) If any difficulty arises in giving effect to the provisions of this Act,

the State Government may, by an order published in the Official Gazette, make

such provisions or give such directions not inconsistent with the provisions of

this Act, as appear to it to be necessary or expedient, for removal of difficulty:

Provided that, no order under this sub-section shall be made after the

expiry of a period of two years from the date of commencement of this Act.

(2) Every order made under sub-section (1) shall, as soon as may be after

it is made, be laid before each House of the State Legislature.

Person

endorsing

documents

of unlawful

conversion.

Burden of

proof.

Power to

investigate.

Offences to be

cognizable

and

non-bailable.

46 of

2023.

Protection

to victims

of unlawful

conversion.

Power to

make rules.

Removal of

difficulties.

महाराष्ट्रõ शासन रा

असाधारण भाग पाच–अ, मार्च १३, २०२६/फाल्गुन २२, शके १९

STATEMENT OF OBJECTS AND REASONS

The right to freedom of religion guaranteed under the Constitution of India

is not absolute but is subject to public order, morality, health and to other

provisions of Part III of the Constitution relating to the fundamental rights of

citizens. The Supreme Court of India has in many cases held that the freedom

of religion is subject to reasonable restrictions and right to propagate under

article 25 of the Constitution does not include the right to forcibly convert

another person.

2. Instances of religious conversions which are forceful, involuntary or

caused by influencing free consent of the citizens have been increasing and are

being carried out in organized manner by various institutions. Many instances

of mass conversion have come to light where gullible persons have been

forcefully converted from one religion to another by offering any gift,

gratification, easy money or material benefit either in cash or kind, employment,

free education in school or college run by any religious body or institution,

promise to marry, better lifestyle, divine healing, etc. These instances are

causing disturbance to public order in the State and are affecting social

harmony.

Individuals or families are susceptible to unlawful conversions due to their

social and economic vulnerability in the society. Such vulnerable sections of

the society need protection from the State. The existing laws are not sufficient

to tackle various issues arising out of such religious conversion.

3. The State of Maharashtra has no law to regulate such religious

conversions. Various States such as Orissa, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh,

Gujarat, Arunachal Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Karnataka, Uttarakhand,

Tamil Nadu, etc., have already enacted the Freedom of Religion Acts for

prohibition of such forceful and unlawful conversions from one religion to

another.

The Government of Maharashtra has, therefore, constituted a special

committee consisting of the Director General of Police and officers of the

concerned Departments of Government to study legal issues relating to religious

conversion. The said committee has, after due deliberations and consideration

of various similar laws in other States, recommended enacting the Maharashtra

Freedom of Religion Act for the State of Maharashtra.

Therefore, the Government of Maharashtra considers it expedient to enact

a law to protect the right of freedom of religion and to prohibit unlawful

conversion.

4. The salient features of the proposed law are as follows:—

(a) to prohibit conversion made by use or practice of allurement,

misrepresentation, force, undue influence, coercion or by any other

fraudulent means, etc.;

(b) to provide the procedure for conversion which includes declaration

of intention of conversion by giving prior notice to the Competent Authority;

and institute which organize such conversion, to the Competent Authority

after conversion;

भााग पााच-अ—१५-२अ

महाराष्ट्रõ शासन रा

असाधारण भाग पाच–अ, मार्च १३, २०२६/फाल्गुन २२, शके १९

(d) to provide for offences and punishment for violating the provisions

of the proposed law;

(e) to provide for investigation of unlawful conversion by an officer

not below the rank of Sub-Inspector of Police;

(i) to provide that offences under the law shall be cognizable and non-

bailable;

(g) to provide for rehabilitation support by the State Government to

victims of unlawful conversion and maintenance and custody of children.

5. The Bill seeks to achieve the above objectives.

Mumbai,

DEVENDRA FADNAVIS,

Dated the 12th March, 2026.

Chief Minister.

महाराष्ट्रõ शासन रा

असाधारण भाग पाच–अ, मार्च १३, २०२६/फाल्गुन २२, शके १९

MEMORANDUM REGARDING DELEGATED LEGISLATION

The Bill involves the following proposals for delegation of legislative

powers, namely :—

Clause 1(2).—Under this clause, power is taken to the State

Government, to appoint by notification in the Official Gazette, the date on

which the Act shall come into force.

Clause 6(1).- Under this clause, power is taken to the State

Government, to prescribe by rules the form and manner for giving notice

to the Competent Authority before conversion.

Clause 7(1).—Under this clause, power is taken to the State

Government, to prescribe by rules the form and manner for submitting a

declaration after conversion to the Competent Authority.

Clause 16(2).—Under this clause, power is taken to the State

Government to prescribe by rules the rehabilitation support for the victims

of unlawful conversion.

Clause 17(1).—Under this clause, power is taken to the State

Government to make rules to carry out the purposes of this Act, by issuing

a notification in the Official Gazette.

Clause 18(1).—Under this clause, power is taken to the State

Government to issue an order in the Official Gazette for removing any

difficulty, which may arise in giving effect to the provisions of this Act.

2. The above-mentioned proposals for delegation of legislative powers

are of normal character.

महाराष्ट्रõ शासन रा

असाधारण भाग पाच–अ, मार्च १३, २०२६/फाल्गुन २२, शके १९

GOVERNOR’S RECOMMENDATION UNDER ARTICLE 207 OF THE

CONSTITUTION OF INDIA

( Copy of Government of Maharashtra Order, Law and Judiciary Department.)

In exercise of the power conferred upon him by clause (3) of Article 207 of

the Constitution of India, the Governor of Maharashtra is pleased to recommend

to both Houses of the State Legislature, the Consideration of the Maharashtra

Freedom of Religion Bill, 2026.

Vidhan Bhavan,

JITENDRA BHOLE,

Mumbai,

Secretary-1,

Dated the 13th March, 2026.

Maharashtra Legislative Assembly.

ON BEHALF OF GOVERNMENT PRINTING, STATIONERY AND PUBLICATION, PRINTED AND PUBLISHED BY DIRECTOR,

RUPENDRA DINESH MORE, PRINTED AT GOVERNMENT CENTRAL PRESS, 21-A, NETAJI SUBHASH ROAD, CHARNI ROAD,

MUMBAI 400 004 AND PUBLISHED AT DIRECTORATE OF GOVERNMENT PRINTING, STATIONERY AND PUBLICATIONS,

21-A, NETAJI SUBHASH ROAD, CHARNI ROAD, MUMBAI 400 004. EDITOR : DIRECTOR, RUPENDRA DINESH MORE.

महाराष्ट्रõ शासन रा

असाधारण भाग पाच–अ, मार्च १३, २०२६/फाल्गुन २२, शके १९