18 July,2025 11:51 AM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Maharashtra CM Fadnavis, however, clarified that not all religious institutions would be subjected to scrutiny. File Pic
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, during a discussion in the Legislative Council on Thursday, said that religious conversions carried out through fraud or force are unacceptable under the Constitution and the law.
"It is a fact that incidents of (religious) conversion keep happening," Fadnavis said while referring to a Supreme Court ruling and ongoing investigations into alleged forced conversions in the state. He invoked the Supreme Court's decision from November 26, 2024, saying, "On November 26, 2024, the Supreme Court ruled that only Hindus, Buddhists and Sikhs can avail the benefit of Scheduled Caste reservation. Other religions cannot avail of it," reported news agency ANI.
Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Thursday strongly criticised religious conversions carried out through temptation or greed. "Conversions through force or fraud are unacceptable under the Constitution and the law; they are wrong acts. Similarly, conversions by offering temptations or luring with greed are also not acceptable. It is a fact that such practices often target poor individuals," he said during a discussion in the Maharashtra Legislative Council, reported ANI.
CM Fadnavis, however, clarified that not all religious institutions would be subjected to scrutiny. "There is no need to investigate or take action against every institution. Investigations will not be based solely on an institution's religious affiliation. Only those institutions against whom specific complaints regarding forced or fraudulent conversions have been received will be probed, and necessary action will follow," he added.
The CM confirmed that the state has witnessed several instances of conversion "by fraud and pressure," prompting the formation of a special committee headed by the DGP. He also stated that a committee has submitted a report to the state government with recommendations to make laws more stringent against such practices.
"The committee has studied it and sent the report to the state government. This report has been received by the state government recently. The state government will study it and make necessary changes in it," he added, reported ANI.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Thursday said that if a person belonging to a religion other than Hinduism, Buddhism or Sikhism has obtained a Scheduled Caste certificate fraudulently, it will be cancelled.
Action will be taken against such a person if he or she has secured reservation benefits, such as government jobs. If such a person has won an election using a fraudulently obtained SC certificate, their election will be declared null and void, Fadnavis said in the legislative council.
(With inputs from ANI)
