Maharashtra’s new religious conversion law has brought a new legal framework for dealing with what the state defines as unlawful religious conversions. However, there is an important correction to the information in the original copy: the Maharashtra Freedom of Religion Act, 2026 is already in force. It did not begin on August 28. The Act was published in the state’s Official Gazette on July 30, 2026, following President Droupadi Murmu’s assent, and came into force from that date.
The law was passed by the Maharashtra Legislature during the Budget Session in March. It is designed to prohibit conversions carried out through force, fraud, coercion, misrepresentation, threats, undue influence, inducement or other fraudulent methods.
What is Maharashtra’s new Freedom of Religion Act?
In simple terms, the law is aimed at stopping unlawful religious conversion.
The Act applies to conversions involving people of any religion. It does not make voluntary religious conversion itself a crime. Instead, it creates rules and penalties for conversions that the law says are achieved through methods such as force, fraud, deceit, coercion, threats, undue influence or inducement.
The law also covers conversion linked to a marriage or a relationship where unlawful methods have allegedly been used.
What must a person do before changing religion?
One of the most important provisions is the 60-day notice requirement.
A person who wants to convert from one religion to another must give notice to the competent authority 60 days before the proposed conversion.
The competent authority is the District Magistrate or an officer authorised by the state government.
After receiving the notice, the authority can publish information about the proposed conversion and invite objections. An inquiry through the police may also be conducted regarding the intention, purpose or reason for the proposed conversion.
There is also a requirement to submit a declaration after the conversion. The converted person and the person or institution organising the conversion must submit the required declaration within 21 days of the conversion.
What happens if the conversion is found unlawful?
The law provides strict punishment.
For an unlawful conversion, the punishment can be up to seven years in prison and a fine of ₹1 lakh.
If the alleged unlawful conversion involves a minor, woman, person of unsound mind, or a member of a Scheduled Caste or Scheduled Tribe, the punishment can be up to seven years along with a fine of up to ₹5 lakh.
In cases involving mass conversion, the punishment can also extend to seven years in prison and a fine of up to ₹5 lakh.
For a person or institution that has already been convicted under the Act and commits another offence, the punishment can rise to 10 years in prison and a fine of ₹7 lakh.
Importantly, offences under the Act are classified as cognisable and non-bailable, and they are to be tried by a Court of Sessions.
What does the law say about marriage and conversion?
The Act specifically deals with marriages and relationships connected with unlawful conversion.
If a marriage is conducted solely for the purpose of unlawful conversion, a court can declare the marriage null and void.
The law also says that a conversion made in violation of its provisions will be treated as an offence and can be declared null and void.
This does not mean that every interfaith marriage is illegal. The key issue under the Act is whether an unlawful conversion involving force, fraud, coercion, inducement or other prohibited methods has taken place. The Maharashtra government has also maintained that the legislation is intended to address unlawful conversions rather than voluntary religious choices.
What happens to children in such cases?
The Act contains a specific provision concerning children born from a marriage or relationship connected with an unlawful conversion.
Such a child is deemed to belong to the religion followed by the mother before the marriage or relationship.
The law also provides for the child’s succession rights in the property of both parents according to applicable succession laws. It further provides for maintenance and says custody will remain with the mother unless a court decides otherwise.
Who can file a complaint?
The law allows more than just the person who allegedly underwent the conversion to approach the police.
The converted person, parents, brother or sister, and other relatives connected by blood, marriage or adoption can file an FIR concerning an alleged unlawful conversion.
The Act also states that the police officer in charge must register a complaint made by a person covered by this provision.
What does the government say?
The Maharashtra government has said the objective of the law is to protect freedom of religion while preventing conversions that take place through coercion, fraud, inducement or other unlawful methods.
During the passage of the Bill, the government argued that adults continue to have the constitutional right to practise and profess their religion, while the state has the power to regulate unlawful conversion.
The legislation was opposed by several Opposition parties during its passage, with concerns raised over possible misuse and its impact on individual freedom and privacy.
So, when did the new law come into effect?
It is already in effect.
The Maharashtra Freedom of Religion Act, 2026 received President Droupadi Murmu’s assent and was published in the state’s Official Gazette on July 30, 2026. Reports from the time stated that the Act came into force on the same day.
Therefore, August 28 should not be mentioned as the commencement date in your article unless a newer official notification specifically changes the position. The current sources I checked show July 30, 2026 as the date the Act came into force.
In short
Maharashtra’s new law does not ban voluntary religious conversion. It creates a legal procedure for conversion and criminalises conversion carried out through methods such as force, fraud, coercion, inducement, deceit, misrepresentation, threats or undue influence. It requires 60 days’ prior notice, allows police investigation in certain circumstances, and provides punishments ranging from seven years’ imprisonment to 10 years for repeat offenders, along with fines.
