Legal Challenge Filed Against Maharashtra Anti-Conversion Law

A legal petition was filed in the Bombay High Court on September 11 challenging the Maharashtra Freedom of Religion Act, 2026. Initiated by an Islamic scholar, the lawsuit contends that the legislation infringes upon constitutional rights to privacy and personal autonomy. The petitioner argues that while the state may prohibit coercive conversions, the current law functions as an overbroad mechanism for state surveillance that impacts all minority communities.

Christian leaders have expressed support for the challenge, noting that the law creates a difficult environment for religious practice. The legislation criminalizes acts such as charity and prayer for the sick under broad definitions of "allurement" and shifts the burden of proof onto the accused. This legal action follows reports of increased hostility in the region, including the destruction of an independent church in the Satara district and government-ordered audits of church-owned properties. Activists warn that these administrative and legal measures threaten the continued operation of Christian ministries, schools, and healthcare facilities throughout the state.