On March 5, the Maharashtra government approved a draft anti-conversion bill requiring prior permission from a designated authority for religious conversion. Titled the Dharma Swatantrya Adhiniyam 2026 (Religious Freedom Act, 2026), the proposed law specifically aims to prevent individuals or organizations from carrying out forced or unlawful religious conversions. It seeks to protect individuals’ freedom of religion by prohibiting coercive or deceptive practices and imposing stringent penalties for violations. The draft bill will be introduced in both houses of the Maharashtra legislature. If approved, it will be sent to the president for assent before becoming law.