By Matters India Reporter
Mumbai, August 4, 2026 The Archdiocese of Bombay has expressed “deep concern” over the President of India’s assent to the Maharashtra Freedom of Religion Act, 2026, warning that the new law could be weaponised against minority communities.
“The Archdiocese of Bombay has taken note, with deep concern, of the assent given by the President of India,” it said in a statement issued recently.
With Maharashtra becoming the thirteenth state to enact such legislation, Church leaders cautioned that similar laws elsewhere have “in practice, been used more often to intimidate religious minorities than to address genuine instances of wrongdoing.”
The Archdiocese reiterated that the Catholic Church “has always unequivocally condemned conversion through force, fraud, coercion or inducement,” but stressed that vague definitions and sweeping police powers risk undermining constitutional freedoms.
Terms such as “allurement” and “undue influence,” the statement noted, have been stretched in other states to cover ordinary charitable and educational work.
Among the most troubling provisions, the Archdiocese highlighted clauses allowing relatives to file complaints without the consent of the person changing faith, suo moto police powers, and reversal of the burden of proof in non‑bailable offences.
These measures, it warned, could create “a chilling effect on genuine faith and marriage choices.”
The statement linked the law to a broader climate of intimidation, citing recent incidents targeting churches, schools, and hospitals.
“Ordinary acts of charity and pastoral service could be misconstrued as inducement,” it said, adding that inter‑faith couples may face harassment under the new procedures.
Calling for safeguards, the Archdiocese urged the Maharashtra government to ensure clear definitions and protections when framing rules.
It appealed to citizens to uphold “harmony, mutual respect and the rule of law,” while assuring minorities of “continued solidarity, prayers and support.”
Issued by the Press Office, the statement concluded: “We stand ready to engage in dialogue with the State Government to ensure that the legitimate objective of preventing fraudulent or coercive conversion does not come at the cost of the fundamental rights of any community.”
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