NEW DELHI: Christians in India are adopting new safeguards amid growing concerns that tighter anti-conversion and foreign funding laws could expose churches, religious workers and charities to legal action and vigilante attacks.
Around 4,000 churches in the Mumbai Metropolitan Area have decided to ask worshippers to sign forms declaring that they are attending services voluntarily and are not being pressured to convert to Christianity.
The measure follows Maharashtra’s new Freedom of Religion Act 2026, which came into force on August 28. Maharashtra is now the 13th of India’s 28 states to introduce anti-conversion legislation.
Christians Fear Anti-Conversion Law
The Maharashtra legislation criminalises religious conversions involving alleged coercion, fraud or inducement. People seeking to change their religion must notify authorities 60 days beforehand, while violations can carry prison sentences of up to seven years.
Christian representatives say churches are also installing CCTV cameras following disruptions of prayer gatherings by Hindu right-wing groups.
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Civil society organisations have demanded withdrawal of the law, arguing that existing criminal legislation already covers coercion and fraud.
Concerns extend beyond Maharashtra. Legal aid groups estimate around 200 anti-conversion cases involving Christians are ongoing in Uttar Pradesh, where more than 800 pastors, worshippers and others have been arrested or detained.
Foreign Funding Rules Raise Concerns
Christian organisations are also worried about proposed amendments to India’s Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act (FCRA).
The legislation could allow authorities to manage or dispose of assets funded through overseas contributions when an organisation’s FCRA licence is suspended, cancelled or not renewed.
Christian groups fear the provisions could affect thousands of schools, hospitals and charities.
Home Minister Amit Shah has maintained that the proposed changes are “religion-neutral” and that the government has no intention of harassing Christians.
The legislation has also attracted scrutiny in the United States, where lawmakers have expressed concerns over its potential impact on religious organisations.
Amid criticism, the Indian government referred the FCRA amendment to a 31-member joint parliamentary committee for review on August 12.
Rights advocates say the outcome could have significant consequences for religious freedom and civil society organisations operating across India.
