ISLAMABAD: Maharashtra’s proposed Freedom of Religion Bill has drawn criticism from civil society groups, minority organizations, and church bodies, which say the measure could deepen pressure on Muslims and other minorities by expanding state and police scrutiny over religious conversion and interfaith relationships.
According to The Times of India, the bill proposes prison terms of up to seven years and fines for what the state describes as “unlawful religious conversions”, including those linked to coercion, fraud or marriage.
The report said offences under the proposed law would be cognizable and non-bailable.
The Economic Times reported that the bill defines unlawful conversion broadly, including conversion through allurement, deceit, force, misrepresentation, threat, undue influence or fraud, and said such conversions would be treated as null and void.
'Anti-love jihad' law
A separate report by The Times of India said the bill requires prior notice before conversion, allows objections to be raised, and places the burden of proof on the accused to show that a conversion was voluntary.
The report added that relatives and other persons could lodge complaints, triggering police action.
The political language surrounding the bill has added to the concern.
The New Indian Express reported that the measure explicitly covers conversions through marriage and provides for tougher penalties in certain cases.
Further causing alarm, Maharashtra minister Nitesh Rane described it publicly as an “anti-love jihad” law.
That claim itself has been disputed at the national level.
In a written reply to the Parliament in 2020, India’s home ministry said the term “love jihad” is not defined under existing laws and that no such case had been reported by central agencies.
Opposition has also come from outside party politics.
A joint press note carried by Indian Currents said civil society groups had called for wider consultation and warned that such legislation could criminalize personal choice and weaken constitutional freedoms.
Critics quoted by various Indian media outlets say the concern is that the bill may be used less to prevent coercion and more to reinforce a wider Hindutva-driven climate in which interfaith relationships involving Muslims are increasingly treated with suspicion, complaint, and legal risk.
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