Now Reading: Pune books UK man under new anti-conversion law
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Pune books UK man under new anti-conversion law
Pune police have registered the first two cases under the Maharashtra Freedom of Religion Act, which came into force on August 1. One case involves a 22-year-old man accused of forcing his…
The Story in Brief
Pune police have registered the first two cases under the Maharashtra Freedom of Religion Act, which came into force on August 1. One case involves a 22-year-old man accused of forcing his minor wife to convert, and an OCI cardholder from the UK accused of using religious gatherings to induce conversions to Christianity.
The UK-based OCI cardholder, a resident of Manchester, was booked under the Immigration and Foreigners Act, 2025 and the newly enacted anti-conversion law. Deputy Commissioner Prashant Amrutkar said OCI cardholders can attend prayers but cannot preach or hold religious discourses without permission. Police are investigating both cases.
The Indian Opinion
Fresher anti-conversion laws give states more power, but the risk lies in selective enforcement. This law bans 'forced' conversions, but who decides where persuasion ends and coercion begins? Pune police have registered cases against a minor's husband and a UK preacher. The coming test is whether the law is used equally against powerful local figures or targets only easy scapegoats. Watch for the charge sheets: do they detail tangible threats, or merely presence at a prayer meeting?
Source: thefederal.com
This story was synthesised by AI from the source linked above.
