Maharashtra anti-conversion law gets President's nod; state notification awaited

President Droupadi Murmu has given her assent to the Maharashtra Freedom of Religion Act, clearing the final constitutional hurdle for the implementation of the contentious legislation. The Maharashtra Governor, C P Radhakrishnan, has forwarded the Bill to the state government, which will now decide the date from which the law comes into force.

The President’s approval was conveyed to the Raj Bhavan and then forwarded to the state government, according to official sources. “The Maharashtra Freedom of Religion Bill has received the approval of the Hon’ble President of India. The Hon’ble Governor of Maharashtra has sent it to the state government for notification,” a source told The Indian Express.

The Act, commonly referred to as the state’s anti-conversion law, was passed by both Houses of the Maharashtra legislature. After its passage, the Bill was reserved by the Governor for the President’s consideration, a procedure followed under Article 201 of the Constitution. This provision allows the President to assent, withhold assent, or return a reserved Bill to the state legislature for reconsideration.

With the Presidential assent, the law has crossed its final legal checkpoint. However, it will remain inoperative until the state government issues a notification in the official gazette specifying the date of enforcement. Sources said the timing of the notification will be decided by the state administration, which has not yet indicated a timeline.

The Maharashtra Freedom of Religion Act is one of several similar state legislations aimed at regulating religious conversions. Proponents argue that such laws protect vulnerable individuals from forced or induced conversions and provide a transparent process for voluntary change of faith. Critics, however, contend that these statutes infringe on the fundamental right to freedom of religion guaranteed under Article 25 of the Constitution.

Opponents have also expressed concern that the law could be misused against interfaith couples and minority communities. They point to the requirement of administrative approvals as a potential source of harassment. Legal experts note that the Presidential assent does not bar a challenge in the courts; if any provision is found to violate fundamental rights, it can be struck down by judiciary.

The development has political significance as Maharashtra becomes one of the few industrialised states to adopt such a law. The ruling party has supported the measure, while opposition parties have criticised it as divisive. The state government is expected to frame rules for enforcement, which will include procedural guidelines and the designation of authorities to handle applications related to conversions.

Until the notification is issued and rules are framed, the Act will remain a statute on paper. The decision on the enforcement date is awaited, and the debate over the law’s implications is likely to continue. The focus now shifts to the Maharashtra government’s next move, which will determine when the provisions actually come into effect.

For now, the legislation moves closer to implementation, but the final step rests with the state. The precise date of notification and the accompanying rules will shape how the law operates. As with similar laws in other states, the real test will be in its application and the judicial scrutiny that follows.