Mumbai churches seek self-declarations as anti-conversion law kicks in on Friday

Ahead of Maharashtra's anti-conversion law taking effect on Friday, Mumbai churches have started asking churchgoers to sign self-declaration forms, a move questioned by Bajrang Dal.Mumbai churchgoers filling self declaration form ahead of implementation of Maharashtra’s anti-conversion law.The Maharashtra anti-conversion law, which toughens legal provisions against forced religious conversions, comes into effect on August 28, but its impact is already being felt among Christian congregations across the Mumbai Metropolitan Region, where pastors have begun asking worshippers to fill out self-declaration forms before attending prayer meetings.The law targets conversions carried out through coercion, fraud, inducement or other prohibited means. Amid concerns of intervention during prayer meetings, churches in Mumbai, Vasai, Virar, Mira-Bhayandar and other parts of the region have started maintaining self-declarations from new attendees.The move comes against the backdrop of multiple FIRs involving Bajrang Dal members and pastors conducting prayer meetings.While pastors maintain that people attend the meetings willingly, Bajrang Dal has alleged that poor Hindus and tribal communities are being induced to convert to Christianity. Sam Mathai, secretary of the Palghar Zilla Messiah Sangh, said the forms were prepared by pastors, community leaders and lawyers as a precautionary measure.“The forms were prepared by pastors, community leaders and lawyers as a precautionary measure. The document is not a government or legal form, but is being maintained by individual churches. We are being accused of converting people by offering money or other benefits,” he said. Mathai, who manages around 300 churches in Palghar, many of which have a tribal population, said there was no force or inducement involved in the prayer meetings.“There is no force or inducement involved in their prayer meetings. We are doing seva. There is no compulsion. People come because they have faith,” he said.Pastor Devdan Tribhuvan, state president of the Maharashtra Christian Development Association, has also started the self-declaration process. He said the forms were introduced amid concerns over incidents at prayer meetings involving Bajrang Dal members.“In the past there have been incidents where Bajrang Dal members have barged into prayer meetings and assaulted attendees and pastors, also vandalising the church's instruments. We didn't get police support when these disputes reached the police station. Hence we have drafted this self-declaration,” Tribhuvan said.The forms include details of attendees, their photographs and relevant documents. For some converts, the forms are also a precaution against what they fear could be harassment over their faith.Vishal Dhage, 31, who said he converted eight years ago, said his decision to follow Christianity had changed his life. “I used to look at women with bad intentions. I am now a better person, hence I follow this faith. We fear harassment from Bajrang Dal,” he said.Another convert, Kashinath Naik, 46, said he and his family converted 20 years ago. He now works as a school bus driver.“Many of the people I know form groups and come to churches as they fear vigilante attacks. We don't go to their events and create ruckus. Why do they do it to us? We want peace,” he said.Bajrang Dal, however, questioned the need and legal basis for the self-declaration forms. Gautam Kanji Ravriya, Bajrang Dal Konkan region co-convenor, said the organisation was working for the welfare of Hindus and welcomed the new anti-conversion law.“On what legal basis are these pastors circulating self-declaration forms? If you go to a mosque or a temple, do you have to fill a form? If they are not doing anything illegal, what do they fear?” Ravriya said.He said the new law would help prevent conversions and alleged that poor Hindus were being targeted through inducements before being converted.“We have been working on this issue for many years. It's only because the government realises this is a big problem for society that they have introduced the law,” he said.Ravriya also rejected allegations that police support Bajrang Dal members, pointing to FIRs against him and one of the organisation's volunteers. “There are six FIRs on me and 12 FIRs on my volunteer Ankit Yadav. This wouldn't be the case if police were supporting us,” he said.Ravriya said Bajrang Dal was also creating awareness among its volunteers about the new anti-conversion law. “If police were doing their jobs, then there would be no need for such groups like Bajrang Dal. Police only act after we create awareness,” he said.- EndsPublished By: Shipra ParasharPublished On: Aug 27, 2026 22:14 IST