The Maharashtra Freedom of Religion Act, 2026 came into force on August 28, tightening the rules on religious conversion in India's second most populous state — with up to 10 years in prison for repeat offenders.
On March 17, 2026, the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly — India's second most populous state — passed the Freedom of Religion Bill 2026 by voice vote, tightening the rules governing religious conversion in the state. According to a critical report by International Christian Concern (ICC), the legislation sets penalties of up to 7 years in prison for conversions deemed the result of coercion, fraud, inducement, or marriage — rising to 10 years for repeat offenders or those convicted of promoting mass conversions.
After receiving presidential assent on July 31, the law officially came into force on August 28, 2026, making Maharashtra the latest Indian state — alongside Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Odisha, Chhattisgarh, and Himachal Pradesh — to enforce legislation of this kind.
According to ICC, the law was passed amid unfounded theories, pushed by Hindu nationalist groups, claiming Christians and Muslims were driving mass forced conversions of Hindus — despite census data showing that the share of religious minorities in India has remained stable for decades.
The most criticized part of the law — and its counterparts in other states — is its definition of "allurement": broad enough to treat not just real coercion, but also peaceful persuasion and ordinary religious discourse, as criminal conduct, even though both are protected under international human rights norms such as the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR). In practice, this means a sincere conversation about faith can, depending on who files a complaint and how authorities interpret the case, become evidence of a crime.
It's worth noting that, despite more than a dozen such laws already on the books across Indian states, actual convictions remain rare — which doesn't make the human cost any smaller: legal pressure, social isolation, and financial loss are enough to hurt families and congregations, even without a conviction.
Pray for wisdom and courage for Christians in Maharashtra now living under this law, for protection from baseless accusations, and for a future reversal of its most restrictive provisions.
Religious FreedomThe state government ordered a time-bound review of land linked to churches and missionary organizations.
Religious FreedomParliament is debating expanded government power to seize or freeze the assets of NGOs and Christian ministries.
Religious PersecutionAfter refusing a Hindu reconversion ritual, the family had their roof torn down, then water and electricity cut off by the community.
