India, Aug. 25 -- Churches across the Mumbai Metropolitan Region have begun collecting self-declarations from worshippers stating that they attend prayer services voluntarily, as the new Maharashtra anti-conversion law comes into force.

The forms are being kept at church offices as a precaution and could be produced before police or government authorities if required, pastors and community representatives said. The practice has reportedly been followed in some churches for the past two to three months.

Pastor Sam Mathai of Vasai in Palghar district said some churches were collecting declarations from non-Christians attending services, while others were asking even regular worshippers to sign them.

He said the move followed concerns ove...