A new anti-conversion law in Maharashtra, India, has prompted churches in Mumbai to ask attendees to sign declarations stating they came here to pray of my own free will,
as the state enforces stricter rules on religious conversions.
The law, which took effect in late August, prohibits conversions achieved through force, fraud, coercion, or inducement, requiring voluntary converts to notify authorities in advance. Churches in Mumbai have begun collecting written declarations from worshippers, though the forms hold no official legal standing. The practice has sparked debate over privacy, religious freedom, and the law’s broader implications.
The New Law and Its Immediate Impact
The Maharashtra government describes the law as a safeguard against forced conversions,
particularly targeting vulnerable communities. However, critics argue it encroaches on personal religious choices. Some churches in Mumbai now ask visitors to sign statements like I came here to pray of my own free will,
a measure intended to protect organizers from accusations of coercion.
Broader Implications and Ongoing Concerns
The law has intensified tensions around religious conversion, a topic long politicized in India. Right-wing groups have frequently accused Christian missionaries of luring people with benefits, while Hindu nationalist organizations like Bajrang Dal have been linked to disruptions of Christian gatherings. An investigation by The Indian Express documented five such incidents in Mumbai, leading to nine police cases.
Legal experts remain divided. While the Maharashtra government insists the law protects socially or economically vulnerable
individuals, opponents warn it could criminalize even voluntary conversions. Is gathering for prayer itself conversion?
Tribhuvan asked, highlighting the ambiguity. The law’s enforcement has raised fears of state overreach into private religious practices.
A State in the Spotlight
Maharashtra is one of over a dozen Indian states with anti-conversion laws, many enacted under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). These laws often target Christianity and Islam, with critics alleging they fuel harassment of minority communities.
The law’s impact extends beyond churches. Interfaith couples and religious minorities report heightened scrutiny. A Reuters report noted that anti-conversion laws have complicated interfaith marriages, with some couples facing legal challenges.
The law’s implementation will likely face further legal challenges. Several anti-conversion laws are already before India’s Supreme Court, with critics arguing they violate constitutional guarantees of religious freedom. For now, the situation in Maharashtra remains a test case for how such laws balance state oversight with individual rights.