Maharashtra CM Stands By Freedom of Religion Bill Amid Opposition Criticism
Fadnavis defends Maharashtra’s anti-conversion bill, saying it prevents fraud and protects vulnerable individuals.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Monday defended the state government’s proposed Maharashtra Freedom of Religion Bill, 2026, emphasizing that the legislation targets fraudulent religious conversions rather than genuine expressions of faith. Speaking to the media, Fadnavis said the law is designed to protect individuals, particularly women, from coercion, inducement, or deception in the context of religious conversions and marriage.
Fadnavis cited instances where women were allegedly lured into relationships, married, and subsequently abandoned, resulting in personal and legal complications for both them and their children. “We have seen several cases where women elope and later are left alone. This raises serious questions about their future and that of their children. The bill is intended to address these problems,” he said, framing the legislation as a measure to close loopholes exploited in such cases.
Under the proposed bill, any individual or institution planning a religious conversion must provide a 60-day advance notice to authorities. Details of the conversion would be publicly displayed to allow objections, and relatives may file complaints if unlawful conversion is suspected. The police are required to register such complaints as First Information Reports (FIRs). The legislation also makes unlawful conversion a cognisable, non-bailable offence, with penalties of up to seven years’ imprisonment and fines, which increase in cases involving minors, women, or members of Scheduled Castes and Tribes.
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Fadnavis stressed that the law does not discriminate against any community, countering critics and opposition parties who have questioned its constitutionality. “The Opposition is trying to politicize the issue for votebank gains. I can guarantee that, once they study the bill, they will have no objections,” he said, reiterating that the intent is to prevent fraud and coercion, not to encroach on religious freedoms.
The Chief Minister also noted that states such as Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Karnataka, and Uttarakhand have enacted similar anti-conversion legislation. He said Maharashtra’s bill aligns with a broader trend across India to regulate conversions and safeguard vulnerable individuals.
Opposition leaders and civil society groups have expressed concerns that certain provisions may impact individual freedoms and constitutional rights. However, Fadnavis maintained that the bill is a protective measure, particularly for women and children, ensuring that conversions are carried out freely, transparently, and without exploitation.
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