'No debate, no transparency': Rights groups reject Maharashtra anti-conversion Bill

By A Representative

A coalition of over 35 civil society organisations, women's rights groups, and constitutional rights advocates convened at a press conference in Mumbai to voice strong opposition to the Maharashtra Cabinet's proposed "Dharma Swatantrya Adhinivam, 2026," warning that the legislation threatens fundamental rights and targets interfaith relationships under the guise of preventing forced conversions.

The draft law, approved by the state cabinet on March 5, has not been made public, drawing sharp criticism from activists who demand transparency and democratic scrutiny before any legislative action is taken.

Speaking at the press conference, representatives highlighted that the proposed law mirrors anti-conversion statutes enacted in nine other states—Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Madhya Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Haryana, Jharkhand, and Karnataka—all of which are currently under challenge before the Supreme Court of India.

Citizens for Justice and Peace (CJP), the lead petitioner in the ongoing Supreme Court proceedings, reiterated concerns that such laws criminalise voluntary religious choice, particularly when associated with marriage. Quoting from the petition filed before the Supreme Court, the organisations stated:

"While these laws are formally presented as safeguards against forced or fraudulent conversions, their design and implementation have created a legal regime that treats voluntary religious conversion as inherently suspicious, particularly when it occurs in the context of interfaith relationships or marriage."

The petition challenges provisions including mandatory prior declarations before district magistrates, police inquiries into reasons for conversion, third-party complaints by relatives, reversal of burden of proof, and stringent bail conditions.

Reports indicate the Maharashtra draft would require a 60-day advance notice for conversion, mandatory registration within 25 days, and impose non-bailable offences with up to seven years' imprisonment and fines up to ₹5 lakh.

Participating organisations condemned the political narrative of "love jihad" used to justify the law, noting that the Union Government informed Parliament in 2020 that the term has no legal definition and no such cases have been reported by any central agency.

The groups also linked the proposed law to a December 2022 Government Resolution creating a committee to monitor interfaith marriages in Maharashtra—a decision currently challenged before the Bombay High Court by CJP, PUCL, and others.

"We are witnessing the expansion of state power into the most intimate domains of personal life," the joint statement read. "India's constitutional framework recognises that decisions relating to faith, marriage, and identity belong to individuals—not to the State, families, or vigilante groups."

The coalition demanded that the government immediately release the draft bill, initiate public consultation, refer it to a legislative standing committee, and provide data on alleged forced conversions necessitating such a law.

Among the organisations participating were People's Union for Civil Liberties (PUCL), Citizens for Justice & Peace (CJP), Forum Against Oppression of Women, Bombay Catholic Sabha, India Love Project, National Council of Women Leaders, Muslim Satyashodhak Mandal, Bharatiya Muslim Mahila Andolan, and Students Islamic Organisation of India (SIO), among others.

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