Mumbai Churches Introduce Voluntary Declarations Ahead of New Anti-Conversion Law

MUMBAI, August 25, 2026: Some independent Christian churches in Mumbai and neighbouring districts have introduced self-declaration forms for people attending Sunday prayer meetings, asking them to affirm that their participation is voluntary.

The move comes amid heightened concerns over Christian prayer gatherings ahead of the implementation of Maharashtra’s new anti-conversion law on August 28.

According to The Indian Express, similar declarations have been introduced by some independent Christian churches in parts of Mumbai, Mira-Bhayandar, Vasai-Virar, Palghar and Thane.

The declaration states that worshippers attend church voluntarily and participate in prayers of their own free will. It also refers to their participation as an exercise of religious freedom guaranteed by the Constitution. The form further states that the declaration may be produced as legal evidence if the individual is later subjected to a false allegation.

Bishop Savio Fernandes, Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Bombay, told Catholic Connect that it was concerning that pastors in Vasai felt compelled to ask people to sign declarations confirming that they were attending prayer services voluntarily.

He said the development reflected a climate of fear and insecurity among religious minorities, arguing that people should not have to prove that they were exercising their faith freely when gathering for prayer.

Fr. Nigel Barrett, spokesperson for the Archdiocese of Bombay, said some smaller churches had introduced the declarations as a precautionary measure in the prevailing circumstances.

“In light of the current situation, some small Churches have introduced a simple self-declaration form for those attending Sunday prayer meetings, affirming that their participation is entirely voluntary,” he said.

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Fr. Barrett described the measure as a “wise and reasonable precaution” aimed at promoting transparency and safeguarding the wellbeing of church members. He said it did not change the openness or character of the worship services.

The precaution, Fr. Barrett added, would help ensure that prayer gatherings remained safe and transparent while retaining their existing faith and community character.

Bishop Fernandes also highlighted the constitutional guarantee of freedom to profess, practise and propagate religion, subject to reasonable restrictions prescribed by law. He said religious faith should be practised “with dignity, openness and without intimidation”.

“No community should feel that worshipping God could invite suspicion, harassment or violence,” Bishop Fernandes said.

Bishop Fernandes said a democracy could be considered truly free only when minorities were able to practise their faith without fear. Laws aimed at preventing coercion or abuse, he added, should not create a situation in which innocent citizens felt that their fundamental freedoms were under suspicion.

“The answer to fear cannot be more fear,” Bishop Fernandes said, calling for a balance between enforcement of the law and protection of constitutional rights.

He stressed that India’s strength lay in ensuring that every citizen could pray, worship and live according to conscience “with dignity, security and freedom”.

“And it is the duty of the government to ensure this,” Bishop Fernandes said.

By Catholic Connect Reporter