Maharashtra Assembly Passes Freedom Of Religion Bill With Shiv Sena (UBT) Backing To Curb Forced Conversions

Mumbai: The Maharashtra Assembly passed the Freedom of Religion Bill 2026 on Monday night. The Bill has stringent provisions to prohibit religious conversions carried out through coercion, fraud, inducement, or marriage, by voice vote.

What does the Bill states?

The Bill states that illegal conversion includes conversions carried out through force, threat, fraud, cheating, allurement or inducement, and marriage done with the intention of converting someone. 

Voluntary conversions are allowed, but forced or deceptive conversions will be treated as criminal offences.

Can Bill punish?

As per the Bill, those involved in unlawful conversions on the pretext of marriage will be punished with imprisonment of seven years and shall also be liable for a fine of Rs 1 lakh.

Under the Bill, unlawful conversions on the pretext of marriage can attract up to seven years in jail and a fine of Rs 1 lakh. Cases involving a minor, a person of unsound mind, a woman, or individuals belonging to Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes carry seven years’ imprisonment and a fine of Rs 5 lakh. 

Mass conversions will also be punishable with seven years in jail and a Rs 5 lakh fine, while repeat offenders may face 10 years’ imprisonment and a Rs 5 lakh fine.

The Bill also states the burden of proof on the accused, who will have to prove that the conversion was not forced or fraudulent.

What did Fadnavis say?

While proposing the bill, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, who also holds the Home portfolio, defended the Maharashtra Freedom of Religion Bill 2026 in the state Assembly, saying that the legislation aims to curb unlawful religious conversions and does not target any particular religion.

Speaking during a discussion on the bill, the Chief Minister said "the proposed law would apply equally to all religions and has been introduced primarily to prevent conversions carried out through coercion, fraud, misrepresentation or inducement."

During the heated debate in the Assembly, Fadnavis said that "the bill does not restrict an individual’s right to practise religion as guaranteed under Article 25 of the Constitution."

“The right to religion does not include the right to convert another person through coercion, misrepresentation, fraud or allurement,” he said, citing rulings of the Supreme Court to support the government’s position.

Did the opposition support the Bill?

From the opposition, Indian National Congress, Nationalist Congress Party (Sharad Pawar faction) and Samajwadi Party opposed the Bill and was only backed by Shiv Sena (UBT).

Shiv Sena (UBT) Chief Uddhav Thackeray said, "I saw the bill that came forward regarding conversion. If someone uses threats to force conversion, action should be taken against them. We support the bill, but if someone threatens the CBI and ED, a law should be passed for that as well."