Christian groups in Maharashtra have introduced self-declaration forms for people attending church services as the state prepares to enforce a new anti-conversion law.
The Maharashtra Freedom of Religion Act, 2026, is due to come into effect on 28 August. Against this backdrop, leaders from some Protestant and Evangelical groups say the declarations are intended to guard against possible allegations that people attending church services are being pressured or misled into changing their religion.
Under the new arrangement, people attending church services may be asked to confirm that they are doing so voluntarily and without outside influence.
Pastor Devdan Tribhuvan, president of the Maharashtra Christian Development Association, said the measure was introduced as a precaution against what he described as false accusations of conversion through force or fraud.
The new law makes religious conversion a criminal offence when it involves coercion, fraud, allurement, undue influence or marriage. It also provides for prison sentences of several years, with repeat offences carrying penalties of up to 10 years.
The move comes amid reports of Hindu groups disrupting Christian prayer meetings and accusing churches of using worship services to convert people. Christian leaders say similar allegations have been made in other parts of India where anti-conversion laws are already in force, sometimes resulting in police action against pastors and other church workers.
Father Nigel Barrett, spokesperson for the Archdiocese of Bombay, said introducing self-declarations was a sensible precaution given concerns about the possible misuse of the new legislation. At the same time, he expressed regret that Christians felt compelled to formally state that they attend church voluntarily and without outside pressure.
Mumbai Joint Commissioner of Police (Law and Order) Manoj Kumar Sharma said the city had remained largely peaceful, although there had been a few incidents involving the Christian community. He said police had warned people who attempted to disrupt prayer services.
Opposition to the legislation has also grown among religious and civil society organisations. A coalition of 20 religious, civil society and women's groups in Mumbai said the law could interfere with privacy, freedom of conscience and people's ability to make personal decisions about faith and marriage.
At a conference on 24 August, the coalition also raised concerns about provisions that could place the burden of proof on people accused of unlawful conversion. The groups warned that such provisions could create opportunities for harassment of interfaith couples and religious organisations.
Father Frazer Mascarenhas, former principal of St Xavier's College in Mumbai, expressed concern that Christian-run education and healthcare services could potentially be viewed as inducements to conversion. He warned that poor communities could be particularly affected if these services came under increased suspicion.
John Dayal, senior journalist and spokesperson for the All India Catholic Union, also criticised the wider use of anti-conversion laws in India, arguing that they could increase pressure on religious minorities.
Dolphy D'Souza, spokesperson for the Bombay Catholic Sabha, called for the Maharashtra law to be withdrawn while the Supreme Court considers challenges to anti-conversion legislation.
Godfrey Pimenta, trustee of the Watchdog Foundation, said Christians and Muslims were among the communities concerned about the possibility of the law being used against people making voluntary religious choices. He stressed that education, healthcare, service to disadvantaged communities and prayer should not automatically be treated as evidence of inducement to convert.
Maharashtra is one of 13 states with anti-conversion legislation in the country. Church groups and other organisations have challenged the constitutional validity of such laws before the Supreme Court.
This is a rewritten version of the original article from UCA News.
