Churches ask worshippers to sign declarations

Some churches in Mumbai have begun asking visitors to write declarations stating they came to pray of their own free will, with no one forcing or enticing them to attend.

“I came here to pray of my own free will.”

New Maharashtra law took effect in late August

The practice began just before a new anti-conversion law took effect in Maharashtra state, of which Mumbai is the capital, in late August.

Law prohibits forced conversions and requires notification

The law prohibits religious conversions brought about by force, fraud, coercion or inducement. It also requires people who want to convert voluntarily to notify authorities in advance.

Penalties include up to ten years in prison

An unlawful conversion can lead to a prison sentence of up to seven years, rising to ten for a repeat offence.

Christians report disrupted prayer meetings

Devdan Tribhuvan, a fourth-generation Christian providing legal aid in Mumbai, says people have increasingly reported disrupted prayer meetings and strangers questioning worshippers about their names and reasons for attending.

“What is your name? Why are you here? Has anyone offered you something?”

Five prayer meetings disrupted between April and July

An investigation by The Indian Express documented five disruptions of Christian prayer meetings around Mumbai between April and July, followed by nine police cases: seven against worshippers or organisers, two against members of Bajraj Dal.

Tribhuvan questions whether prayer itself is conversion

Many who contact Tribhuvan want to know whether simply gathering to pray could leave them vulnerable to an accusation of conversion. He asks: is gathering for prayer itself conversion?

“Is gathering for prayer itself conversion?”

Law's definition of inducement is extremely broad

The law defines allurement as including employment, free education at a religious institution, a promise of marriage, a better lifestyle and divine healing. Even glorifying one religion over another can fall within it.

Retired judge says definition is dangerously vague

Retired Bombay High Court judge Abhay Thipsay said the definition has been kept so vague that almost any benefit accruing to a person can be considered or argued to be an allurement.

“The definition has been kept so vague that almost any benefit accruing to a person can be considered or argued to be an allurement.”

Relatives can report conversions to police

The law allows parents, siblings and other relatives to complain to police about an allegedly unlawful conversion, leaving the accused to prove that it was lawful.

Interfaith couples fear new obstacles to marriage

Lawyer Lara Jesani, who has helped interfaith couples obtain court protection, fears the law may give families or right-wing organisations a new way to target such couples by accusing one partner of trying to convert the other.

“Even when neither intend to convert, [the couples] fear a relative could accuse one partner of trying to convert the other.”

Judge questions why adults cannot choose their religion

Retired judge Thipsay asks why adults who have the power to make major decisions like whom to marry and have been given the right to vote should not have the power to choose their religion.

“If an adult has the power to make major decisions - such as whom to marry - and has been given the right to vote, why should they not have the power to make this decision too?”