Maharashtra anti-conversion law to take effect on August 28, activists raise concerns

(From left) Speakers Sandhya Gokhale, Lara Jesani, Tushar Gandhi, Irfan Engineer, Fr Frazer Mascarenhas and anchor S Shaikh at the press conference yesterday. Pic/Ashish Raje

The clock is ticking with the anti-conversion law, the Maharashtra Freedom of Religion Act 2026, to come into force from August 28. On Monday afternoon, August 24, representatives of various civil organisations held a press conference at the Mumbai Marathi Patrakar Sangh, Azad Maidan, to voice concerns and call for action against what they cited as a 'draconian' law.

Shared concerns

While each speaker highlighted particular concerns, some statements were across the board, and there was a unanimous sentiment of concern. Speakers stated that the govt. had not placed any credible data in the public domain demonstrating the existence of widespread forced conversions in Maharashtra or explaining why existing criminal laws were inadequate to address such offences. They claimed there was a lack of public consultation, and the law was passed ignoring objections.

Rights threatened

The Act, speakers said, will create an unparalleled intrusive system of state surveillance, interference and no agency in matters of personal faith, marriage and individual choice. They highlighted that there will be a disproportionate impact on women, Dalits, Adivasis and young adults. The underlying assumption is that women, young adults and members of vulnerable communities are incapable of exercising independent choice.

The law restricts the freedom of consenting adults to choose their faith, and the implementation of the Maharashtra Freedom of Religion Act, 2026 must not be brought into force, and the notification be taken back, to ensure that it does not become an instrument for surveillance.

Sangharsh, streets

Speakers like activist Sandhya Gokhale and writer Dr Salim Khan spoke about how people "may have to come out on the roads once again," while Khan added, "We may be jailed or hanged, but we cannot give up. It is time up for the current political dispensation." Activist Cyril Dara claimed this was not "Freedom of Religion but Restriction of Religion," as the conference drew to a close.

Voices raised

Tushar Gandhi, Activist and author
‘This [the recent street protests]was a challenge to a government that thinks it can do anything. Yet, we have witnessed a revolutionary spirit recently. All of us need to speak out; we cannot shrug our shoulders and say this is not our problem'

Lara Jesani, Advocate
‘It is a draconian law where the burden of proof is on the accused. It has very broad definitions, especially regarding conversion through allurement'

Irfan Engineer, Advocate
‘There was an effort to create an atmosphere of intimidation, where rumours are flying about that there are thousands of conversions, but there are no such formal complaints registered at police stations'

Fr Frazer Mascarenhas, Educator
‘Today, all social services - anything - can be seen as an inducement to convert. This is the problem with these broad definitions'