Mumbai, Aug. 18 -- The Maharashtra government has officially announced the implementation date for the much-discussed Maharashtra Freedom of Religion Act.

According to the official gazette notification published recently, the Act will come into force across the state starting August 28, 2026.

The Maharashtra Freedom of Religion Bill aims to prevent religious conversions carried out through force, fraud, coercion, allurement, or marriage and to stop religious conversions obtained by misrepresentation, undue influence, or inducement.

On March 17, the Maharashtra government introduced the draft of the Freedom of Religion Bill, 2026, in the Maharashtra assembly, with a provision of imprisonment.

While introducing the draft bill in the leg...