Civil rights groups demand Maharashtra’s anti-conversion bill draft be made public

Civil rights activists in Maharashtra have alleged that Maharashtra’s proposed anti-conversion bill will bolster “vigilante activism that targets women and minorities in the State.” The bill was recently cleared by Maharashtra cabinet, but has not yet been tabled in the Legislature. A draft of the bill is not yet publicly available. Teesta Setalvad, a civil rights activist, demanded that the draft “Dharma Swatantrya Adhiniyam, 2026” be made public and that public consultation be initiated. 

Questioning the lack of transparency in sharing the draft with the society, she accused the government of whipping up public sentiments on the basis of ‘false narrative’.

“The laws need to be made after consultation with all stakeholders, which includes primarily women as the autonomy of women is in question and all minorities, including Dalits and Adivasis,” said Teesta Setalvad, also founder of Citizens for Justice and Peace (CJP), while speaking during a press meeting in Mumbai on Wednesday (March 11, 2026). Over 30 civil society organisations opposed the Maharashtra Cabinet’s decision to approve the draft Dharma Swatantrya Adhiniyam, 2026. 

The organisations said the proposed law should be referred to a committee of stakeholders, including civil society members and legal experts. They also called for detailed scrutiny by the legislative standing committee with participation from Opposition leaders.

Questioning the need for the law

Civil society groups, including the People’s Union for Civil Liberties (PUCL), Indian Muslims for Secular Democracy (IMSD), women’s rights organisations and legal experts, also questioned the need for the proposed legislation.

“The government has not justified the need for the proposed bill. Do we have reports or studies on forced conversions? We don’t know then what is the necessity for the law?” asked Human Rights lawyer Lara Jesani, questioning the government about data pertaining to alleged cases of love jihaad.

Issue before the Supreme Court

Activists said Maharashtra’s move comes at a time when the constitutional validity of similar anti- conversion laws across several states is already under challenge before the Supreme Court of India. Ms. Setalvad said that CPJ and others have filed a petition challenging the Uttarakhand law, Uttar Pradesh law, and Madhya Pradesh law, on grounds that they violate the fundamental rights to freedom, autonomy,

“We have been trying to push for a hearing for the last five and a half, six years. In fact, in 2025, we urgently asked the Supreme Court that even if you take a long time for the final hearing, at least the most egregious sections of the six laws should be stayed,” said Ms. Setalvad.