India, March 11 -- The Archdiocese of Bombay has expressed concern about the Maharashtra cabinet's approval of the draft anti-conversion bill 'Dharma Swatantrya Adhiniyam' tabled on March 5. While acknowledging the state's responsibility to protect individuals from coercion, inducement or deception in matters of religion, the Church has raised serious reservations about certain provisions that it believes may undermine the fundamental freedom of conscience granted by the Indian Constitution.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, the Archdiocese noted that the requirement for individuals to give a 60-day prior notice and obtain permission from a designated authority before converting to another faith placed an undue burden on what was essenti...