Tough conversion law kicks in Friday, Mumbai pastors ask worshippers to sign form they pray of their own ‘free will’
The Maharashtra anti-conversion law, which became effective on August 28, has led local pastors in Mumbai to ask their worshippers to sign a form claiming they are attending church out of "free will" and without any pressure. This self-declaration form requires a passport-size photograph and Aadhaar or PAN number, with the form being distributed in English, Marathi, and Hindi to congregations in Mumbai, Mira-Bhayandar, Vasai-Virar, Palghar, and Thane.
The law follows a series of prayer disruptions at Sunday meetings over the past five months, resulting in nine FIRs linked to five such incidents between April and July. The forms are seen as a precautionary measure to protect worshippers from potential attacks and as proof that they are attending voluntarily. Some, like Pastor Steven Rozario from New Hope Church in Virar, feel this is a necessary step given the ongoing disruptions, while others, such as Anita Patel, feel it infringes upon their freedom of choice.
The Maharashtra Christian Development Association sees the forms as a security measure to clarify that people are attending their own free will.
Written by urgent.news from The Indian Express's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
