A day after the Maharashtra government introduced the draft Freedom of Religion Bill, 2026, in the state Assembly, Maharashtra Minister Shambhuraj Desai on Tuesday welcomed the development and highlighted support expressed by Shiv Sena (UBT) MLA Bhaskar Jadhav during the legislative proceedings, reported news agency ANI.

Desai cites Bhaskar Jadhav’s speech in Assembly

Speaking to reporters, Desai referred to Jadhav’s remarks in the Assembly, noting that the opposition legislator had voiced support for the proposed law aimed at regulating religious conversions. “Yesterday, Shiv Sena (UBT) MLA Bhaskar Jadhav spoke in the Assembly regarding this Bill, and we support it. We welcome it,” Desai said.