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‘Freedom of Religion Bill 2026’ cleared following years of sustained awareness efforts by Hindu organisations
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Aims to curb unlawful conversions through coercion and fraud
Mumbai – In a significant development, the Maharashtra state government has passed the ‘Maharashtra Freedom of Religion Bill 2026 in both houses of the legislature during the ongoing session. This anti-conversion legislation aims to curb unlawful religious conversions through coercion, fraud, inducement, or marriage, providing stronger safeguards against deceptive practices associated with ‘love jihad’ and mass conversions driven by financial allurements.
Hindu Janajagruti Samiti wholeheartedly congratulates the Maharashtra Government @CMOMaharashtra for passing the #Freedom_of_Religion_Bill_2026 🚩⚖️
This long-awaited law was demanded by Hindu society for years, and its enactment marks a decisive stand against forced… pic.twitter.com/iEXxZTlhiw
— HinduJagrutiOrg (@HinduJagrutiOrg) March 18, 2026
Hindu Janajagruti Samiti welcomes the decision
The Hindu Janajagruti Samiti (HJS) has welcomed this passage as a major victory for the Hindu community, which has long advocated for such a protective law. With this enactment, Maharashtra becomes the 13th state in India to implement an anti-conversion law, following similar measures in 12 other states, while three more are in the process of drafting them.
Strict implementation is now crucial: Ramesh Shinde, HJS
Shri. Ramesh Shinde, National Spokesperson of the Hindu Janajagruti Samiti, congratulated the state government on this decision. He stated that previously, the government introduced financial assistance for ‘Ladki Bahin’ (beloved sisters) through the ‘Ladki Bahin’ scheme. Now, with this law providing real protection, the ‘beloved sisters’ have been made secure. However, he emphasised, “The law has been passed; now it must be strictly implemented.” He expressed hope that the legislation would put a definitive end to love jihad and large-scale religious conversions of Hindus through financial allurements.
Two decades of awareness and ground-level efforts
Hindu Janajagruti Samiti has been actively campaigning on the issue of love jihad and forced conversions for the past 20 years. In 2006, when even uttering the term ‘love jihad’ was considered a taboo, HJS published the first book on the subject. Over the years, its speakers have delivered thousands of lectures, organised hundreds of public meetings, exhibitions, and protests, including those related to high-profile cases like Shraddha Walkar, and conducted rallies through the Hindu Jansangharsh Morcha. HJS has also provided counselling to hundreds of young women affected by such tactics.
Call for statewide awareness and education
Shri. Sunil Ghanwat, State Organiser of the Hindu Janajagruti Samiti, highlighted the urgency of the issue, noting that conversions carried out through financial allurements have led to five out of seven northeastern states becoming Christian-majority. He pointed out that Hindus have become a minority in nine states and Union Territories across India, underscoring the seriousness of the conversion problem.
While congratulating the state government on this step, Shri. Ghanwat appealed for proactive measures by the government to ensure that this law is propagated widely to reach every section of society. He also urged the formulation of awareness programmes in every school across the state and targeted educational campaigns in tribal-dominated areas.
Key provisions of the Bill
- Individuals intending to convert, as well as the organisers of the conversion ceremony, must give a written notice at least 60 days in advance to the authorities.
- A post-conversion declaration must be submitted within 21 days.
- Authorities will publicly display the notice on a public notice board for 30 days to invite objections.
- Conversions through coercion, fraud, inducement, or marriage solely for conversion are prohibited.
- Violations can attract up to 7 years’ imprisonment and and a fine of ₹1 lakh, which increases to ₹5 lakh if the case involves a woman, minor, or person from SC/ST communities.
- Mass or repeat conversions can lead to imprisonment of up to 10 years.
- The burden of proof lies entirely on the accused (the person who facilitated the conversion) to demonstrate that the act was voluntary and lawful.
- Children born from unlawful conversion-related marriages will be deemed to follow the mother’s original religion.
- The law also allows complaints by family members or concerned persons in suspected cases.
The passage of the bill follows two decades of sustained efforts by Hindu organisations like Hindu Janajagruti Samiti to raise public awareness and push for legal protections against manipulative conversions.
