MUMBAI: With the implementation of the state’s Freedom of Religion Act or anti-conversion law set to start on Aug 28, some minority institutions are worried that social welfare initiatives or routine prayer meetings may be interpreted as attempts at religious conversion.In Vasai-Virar, small churches like New Hope have begun asking worshippers to sign a self-declaration form to affirm that they are joining prayer meetings of their own will. On Sunday, pastor Stephen Rosario distributed forms to a congregation of 30 people, seeking passport photos and signatures on such a disclaimer.Such declarations are already being sought for baptism rituals by certain churches.The new law imposes up to 10 years’ imprisonment for forced conversion and conversion by inducement. It gives police the authority to probe allegations of conversion based on third-party complaints. Pastor Devdan Tribhuvan, president, Christian Development Association, said, “The number of attacks against Christian prayer groups have increased in the past 12 years, and 15-20 attacks have occurred this past year. Police also make enquiries. This pattern has necessitated the signing of such forms.”He alleged that certain groups were following a particular modus operandi. “You will find a young mother bringing her child to the pastor, asking him to bless them both since they suffer from some sickness. She will then request him to provide religious literature for further reading. Once the pastor does so, she calls her cohorts, who then arrive and accuse the pastor of conversion,” he claimed. “All the churches have a database of regular parishioners or members for whom they perform rituals like weddings and burials. But unfamiliar visitors and first-timers pose a risk. Therefore this new self-declaration.”Fr Nigel Barrett, spokesperson of the archdiocese of Bombay, said, “Mainline or established churches do not face this problem, it is small churches meeting in commercial spaces or in residential areas that are facing it.” Cyril Dara, secretary, Christian Reform United People Association (CRUPA), recalled the video of an attack on a Christian prayer meeting in Kalachowkie on Dec 7, 2025, where 35 persons had entered a hall. Dara, however, did not feel it was necessary for churches to seek self-declarations to protect themselves and worshippers, saying the law only targets forced conversions.On July 2, members of an organisation called Mumbai for Peace had met joint commissioner (law and order) Manoj Kumar Sharma to report “repeated incidents of disruption of prayer services” in different parts of the city.
