Maharashtra Freedom of Religion Act to Take Effect: Key Changes Outlined
The Maharashtra government issued a notification through its Home Department establishing that the Maharashtra Freedom of Religion Act will take effect across the state. Passed by the state legislature, the new law prohibits religious conversions carried out through coercion, fraud, misrepresentation, undue influence, or allurement. With this step, Maharashtra joins states such as Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, and Uttarakhand in enacting formal legal frameworks to regulate religious conversions.
The law creates a structured regulatory framework governing individual conversions while establishing penalties for violations:
* Mandatory Advance Notice: Individuals intending to convert must submit a declaration to the District Magistrate at least 60 days prior to the conversion. Priests or facilitators conducting the ceremony are also required to give prior notice to district authorities.
* Post-Conversion Declaration: Following the ceremony, a post-conversion declaration must be filed, enabling local authorities to verify the intent and circumstances of the conversion.
* Broad Complainant Scope: Complaints of unlawful conversion can be filed not only by the affected person but also by parents, siblings, or blood relatives. Police stations are mandated to register such complaints.
* Penalties for Unlawful Conversion: Standard illegal conversions carry a penalty of up to 7 years imprisonment and a fine up to 1 lakh. Conversions involving minors, women, or individuals belonging to Scheduled Castes or Scheduled Tribes carry penalties of up to 7 years imprisonment and fines up to 5 lakh.
* Provisions for Repeat Offenders and Mass Conversions: Mass conversions attract enhanced penalties of up to 7 years imprisonment and 5 lakh fines, while repeat offenders face up to 10 years imprisonment and fines up to 7 lakh. Institutions involved in illegal conversions risk loss of government aid or cancellation of registration.
* Legal Nature of Offenses: Offenses registered under the Act are classified as cognizable and non-bailable, allowing law enforcement officers to make arrests without a warrant.