# Maharashtra churches use self-declaration forms as anti-conversion law begins

2026-08-26T03:33:33+00:00 | Governance | Indian Opinion Desk

Corroboration: 2 independent outlets

As Maharashtra's anti-conversion law takes effect on August 28, small churches in Mumbai, Thane and Vasai-Virar are asking worshippers to sign self-declaration forms confirming they attend prayer meetings voluntarily. The forms ask for PAN or Aadhaar numbers and passport-size photographs and include a witness section. Pastors say the forms are a response to repeated disruptions of Sunday services. Between April and July, nine FIRs were registered in such incidents, seven against prayer organisers and worshippers, two against Bajrang Dal workers. The new law imposes up to 10 years' imprisonment for forced conversion and allows police to act on third-party complaints. The Bajrang Dal says it operates within the law. Many worshippers said signing such forms was unprecedented in their decades of church attendance but saw it as necessary for security.

## Indian Opinion Analysis

Both outlets report the same precaution: pastors circulating self-declaration forms. Siasat.com leads with the disruption and attacks that prompted the forms, naming Bajrang Dal and VHP and quoting worshippers who say freedom feels curtailed. The Times of India leads with the legal trigger, the anti-conversion law taking effect, and frames the forms as a defensive measure by small churches. Siasat.com gives voice to worshippers' unease, Times of India gives more space to church leaders explaining the precaution. Neither outlet disputes the facts, but the emphasis differs: Siasat.com foregrounds the atmosphere of intimidation, while Times of India foregrounds legal compliance. The new law takes full effect on August 28, when police can act on third-party complaints.

## Coverage

Coverage: 2 sources, 1 government-critical, 1 neutral
- siasat.com (government critical) <https://www.siasat.com/mumbai-pastors-get-worshippers-to-sign-forms-proving-free-will-3530724/>
  Leads with disruption and quotes worshipper who says freedom is curtailed
- timesofindia.indiatimes.com (neutral report) <https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/mumbai/as-maharashtra-anti-conversion-law-sets-in-small-churches-opt-for-disclaimer-forms/articleshow/133527157.cms>
  Leads with legal trigger, frames forms as precaution by small churches

This brief was synthesised by AI from the 2 sources linked above, so one read covers every framing they carry.

Tags: Bajrang Dal, Maharashtra anti-conversion law, Mumbai, Vishwa Hindu Parishad
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Cite: https://indianopinion.org/maharashtra-churches-use-self-declaration-forms-as-anti-conversion-law-begins/#story-in-brief

How this brief was made: an AI model read the reports linked above and wrote this summary and analysis, which were published automatically. Published briefs are sampled every hour by an automated quality check; the editor verifies its findings and approves corrections, and corrected briefs carry a dated correction line. Stance labels are editorial classifications of how each outlet framed this story, assigned by the same model, not ratings of the outlets. We do no original reporting. Methodology: https://indianopinion.org/ai-use-policy/