Love jihad, prison term: Inside Maharashtra’s anti-conversion law

Bhavika Jain & Sunil BaghelTIMESOFINDIA.COM

Mar 18, 2026 | 21:02 IST

The Maharashtra Freedom of Religion Bill, 2026, seeks to criminalise conversions through coercion, fraud, inducement or marriage. However, the proposed bill has reopened a wider debate over privacy, inter-faith marriage, religious freedom and the expanding reach of the state

Following several BJP-ruled states, the Maharashtra government has introduced its own anti-conversion law, titled the Maharashtra Freedom of Religion Bill, 2026. The Bill was introduced in the state assembly on March 13 by Minister of State for Home Pankaj Bhoyar, after the state cabinet had cleared the draft.

TOI

TOI

Love jihad, prison term: Inside Maharashtra’s anti-conversion law

The Maharashtra Freedom of Religion Bill, 2026, seeks to criminalise conversions through coercion, fraud, inducement or marriage. However, the proposed bill has reopened a wider debate over privacy, inter-faith marriage, religious freedom and the expanding reach of the state

{{{h1}}}

{{{h1}}}

{{{h3}}}

{{{offerprice}}}

{{{h3}}}

{{{offerprice}}}

{{{h1}}}

{{{h1}}}

{{{h1}}}

{{h2}}

{{{h1}}}

{{h2}}

{{{h1}}}

{{h2}}

Your Privacy is Important to us

Opt out of the sale or sharing of personal information

TOI

Love jihad, prison term: Inside Maharashtra’s anti-conversion law

The Maharashtra Freedom of Religion Bill, 2026, seeks to criminalise conversions through coercion, fraud, inducement or marriage. However, the proposed bill has reopened a wider debate over privacy, inter-faith marriage, religious freedom and the expanding reach of the state

{{{h1}}}

{{{h1}}}

{{{h3}}}

{{{offerprice}}}

{{{h3}}}

{{{offerprice}}}

{{{h1}}}

{{{h1}}}

{{{h1}}}

{{h2}}

{{{h1}}}

{{h2}}

{{{h1}}}

{{h2}}