The Maharashtra government, under Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, has constituted a special seven-member committee to draft a law against ‘love jihad,’ following the example of Uttar Pradesh and other states. The panel, led by Director General of Police (DGP) Rashmi Shukla, will study the legal and technical aspects of interfaith relationships and alleged forced religious conversions.
According to a government resolution cited by the Times of India, the committee will assess complaints related to “love jihad,” review legal frameworks in other states, and recommend necessary legal provisions for Maharashtra. The committee includes officials from key departments such as women and child development, minority development, law and judiciary, social justice, special assistance, and home affairs.
“Various organizations in the state and some citizens have submitted representations regarding enacting a law to prevent love jihad and fraudulent or forced conversions. Some states in India have already enacted laws to address this issue,” the government order stated. However, no specific timeline has been set for the committee to submit its report.
Chief Minister Fadnavis has been a vocal advocate for such a law in Maharashtra. Ahead of last year’s elections, he claimed that over one lakh complaints had been received regarding forced religious conversions. He alleged that a deliberate “love jihad” conspiracy was at play, where Hindu women were being deceived into marriage by Muslim men using fake identities.
The move has sparked intense debate. Supporters argue that the law will protect women from coercion and deception, while critics view it as an attempt to police interfaith relationships and target specific communities. Similar laws enacted in Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, and other states have faced legal and social scrutiny, with concerns over misuse and infringement on individual freedoms.