Mumbai, With the anti-conversion law coming into force in Maharashtra, churches across the Mumbai Metropolitan Region have begun asking worshippers to fill a self-declaration form, specifying that they are attending prayers of their own will and not under pressure.
Maharashtra’s anti-conversion law, the Maharashtra Freedom of Religion Act, 2026, has come into force following Presidential assent and its official gazette notification on July 30. There have been instances of elements disturbing prayer services due to false accusations of forced conversions, he claimed. “Right-wing groups enter churches without intimation and beat up people. It was then that pastors and community leaders came together to find a solution. We don’t force anyone to come and pray. The Indian Constitution allows everyone to pray of their own will,” he stated. It paves the way for action against religious conversions carried out through coercion, fraud, inducement or marriage. “This troubles us and disrupts our prayer services. Our churches are open to everyone. Many come for peace of mind and meditation. The idea of a consent form or self-declaration is to protect the interest of the community and the church.
Bombay Catholic Sabha spokesperson Dolphy D’Souza said the community is upset and anguished at the situation arising out of the passage of the Freedom of Religion Act. We don’t want innocent people to be victims of violence,” he said. The self-declaration is to confirm that everyone is coming to the church of their free will, D’Souza said, adding that the community expects the police to enforce the rule of law equally for all. “We want the police to protect the community and give us safety when we do our prayer services,” he added.
