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Fadnavis Defends Bill Against Fraudulent Religious Conversions, Cites Exploitation of Women
The bill mandates a 60-day notice for conversions and punishes unlawful conversions with up to seven years imprisonment and fines, targeting coercion and fraud, CM Fadnavis said.
- On Friday, the Maharashtra government introduced the Maharashtra Freedom of Religion Bill 2026 in the state assembly, and Devendra Fadnavis, Maharashtra Chief Minister, said on Monday the bill aims to address cases where women were lured, married and abandoned.
- The Opposition countered that the Maharashtra Freedom of Religion Bill 2026 politicizes the issue for vote-bank politics, while the bill aims to prohibit conversions through coercion, fraud, or marriage, Fadnavis argued.
- The competent authority must publicly display proposed conversions and invite objections within 30 days, with notices given at least 60 days in advance by persons intending to convert.
- The proposed penalties include seven years' imprisonment and Rs 1 lakh fine for marriage-based conversions, and Rs 5 lakh for violations involving vulnerable groups; Maharashtra would join other states with similar laws.
- The Supreme Court of India has issued notices to 12 States regarding anti-conversion laws, raising questions about children from such relationships, as the legislation faces legal scrutiny.
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Devendra Fadnavis Defends Maharashtra Freedom of Religion Bill 2026 Amidst Opposition Criticism, Says It Is Not Against Any Religion | 🇮🇳 LatestLY
Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Monday clarified that the Maharashtra Freedom of Religion Bill, 2026, is not directed against any specific religion. He emphasised that the Bill is being introduced solely to prevent religious conversions carried out through coercion, fraud, or allurement. He explained the government’s stance in his address to the Legislative Assembly. 🇮🇳 Devendra Fadnavis Defends Maharashtra Freedom of Religion Bill 20…
Devendra Fadnavis Defends Anti-Conversion Bill, Says Law Targets Fraud, Not Faith
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Monday defended the state government's proposed Maharashtra Freedom of Religion Bill, 2026, asserting that it is designed to curb fraudulent religious conversions.
·New Delhi, India
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Leaning Left2Leaning Right2Center1Last UpdatedBias Distribution40% Left, 40% Right
Bias Distribution
- 40% of the sources lean Left, 40% of the sources lean Right
40% Right
L 40%
C 20%
R 40%
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