The Legislative Assembly passed the Maharashtra Freedom of Religion (Dharma Swatantrya Adhiniyam), 2026 Bill on Monday. Earlier in the day, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis told legislators the proposed law is not directed at any religion but is meant to curb forced or fraudulent conversions and maintain social harmony.

The Bill, introduced in the Assembly last week, proposes strict penalties, advance declaration rules and regulatory oversight for religious conversions, with the government arguing that the legislation is necessary to prevent conversions through force, fraud, inducement or marriage. However, the debate also exposed sharp divisions within the opposition alliance, with some legislators backing the law and others questioning its intent.