The Maharashtra government on Friday introduced the Freedom of Religion Bill, 2026, aimed at curbing religious conversions carried out through force, fraud, coercion or inducement. The proposed legislation seeks to regulate religious conversions while safeguarding the constitutional right to freedom of religion.

The Bill, also referred to as the Dharma Swatantrya Adhiniyam, 2026, was tabled in the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly by Minister of State for Rural Development Pankaj Bhoyar. The state Cabinet had earlier approved the draft legislation on March 5.