poverty
Maharashtra poised to become India's 13th anti-conversion state
By Lyndsey Koh at Mission Network News
· July 6, 2026
· 2 min read
India (MNN) – Maharashtra is on the verge of becoming India's 13th state with an anti-conversion law. The state government has already passed the bill, and the state's Legislative Council is expected to give final approval soon. If enacted, it could make life even harder for the state's small Christ
Key takeaway (Photo courtesy of Sarang Pande/Unsplash) Raina Miller with Mission India says, "What is interesting about Maharashtra specifically is that it's less than 1% Christian in this state.
Why this matters
The proposed anti-conversion law in Maharashtra poses significant challenges for Christian charities and ministries operating in the state. With a Christian population of less than 1%, the law's requirement of 60 days' notice and government approval for religious conversion could further marginalize the community. For organizations like Mission India, which rely on spreading the Gospel, the law could increase the risk of persecution and intimidation, making it more difficult to operate programs. The law's potential impact on faith-based giving and humanitarian relief efforts in the state is also a concern, as it may limit the ability of Christian organizations to provide aid and support to vulnerable populations. As the law awaits final approval, Christian charities and ministries are bracing for potential consequences, highlighting the need for responsible and informed giving to support critical Gospel work in India.
About this story
Original reporting by Mission Network News . Christgiving surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
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Category: poverty ·
Published: July 6, 2026 ·
Source: Mission Network News ·
Reading time: 2 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? India (MNN) – Maharashtra is on the verge of becoming India's 13th state with an anti-conversion law. The state government has already passed the bill, and the state's Legislative Council is expected to give final approval soon. If enacted, it could make life even harder for the state's small Christ
When was this published? This article was first published on July 6, 2026 by Mission Network News and curated for Christgiving readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Lyndsey Koh at Mission Network News. To learn more about how Christgiving selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more poverty coverage from Christgiving, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .