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.