New Delhi, March 13 -- The Maharashtra government on Friday introduced in the state assembly the Maharashtra Freedom of Religion Bill 2026. As per the proposed law, those involved in unlawful conversions on the pretext of marriage will be punished with imprisonment of seven years and shall also be liable for fine of Rs.1 lakh.

Violations involving a minor, a person of unsound mind or woman or person belonging to Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe will be punished with imprisonment of seven years and fine of Rs.5 lakh.

Mass conversions will have a jail term of seven years and fine of Rs.5 lakh. Repeat individual offenders can get jail sentence of 10 years and fine of Rs.5 lakh, as per the Bill.

The Bill makes it mandatory for the offic...