Sakal Hindu Samaj (SHS) undertook a unique protest to remind Maharashtra government of its commitment to bring strict laws to deal with the twin problems of Love Jihad and forced religious conversion. Women activists led the protest in which they gave a framed copy of the GR (government resolution) to the police and administrative officials to remind the government of its commitment.

The protest took place on 13 February across Maharashtra. These protests were held in Nashik, Ahilyanagar, Pune, Solapur, Sangli, Satara, Kolhapur and more than 80 other cities and towns. SHS activists met Zilla administrative officials, Tehsildars, regional offices and Police officials to hand over their petitions along with a framed copy of Maharashtra government’s GR issued on 14 February last year.

Sakal Hindu Samaj protest against non-implementation of GR

SHS activists, led by women, met the police and district administrative officials across several cities in Maharashtra to express their displeasure at the non-implementation of strict laws against Love Jihad and forced religious conversion. They highlighted that it has been a year since the Maharashtra government issued a GR in this regard. However, it is yet to be implemented. Protestors also raised slogans praising Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj when they were on their way to submit their petition.

The Press Note (PN) released by SHS states that the organization held protests across Maharashtra demanding strict laws against Love Jihad and forced religious conversions. The Press Release (PR) further noted that in view of incidents relating to both Love Jihad and religious conversions, laws to curb these menaces are the need of the hour.

The release also noted that the GR issued last year promised laws to deal with the aforementioned issues. The government had also formed a panel to examine the legal framework for the potential law. One year on, these promises have not translated into laws and real action on ground. The release further pointed out that Hindu Samaj is angered due to the government’s inaction and lax attitude in bringing the law. The importance of this law for Hindu Samaj can be gauged from the large-scale participation of women. As per the PN, more than 3500 women participated in protest.

SHS has demanded that the a strict law to prevent Love Jihad and forced religious conversion be passed during the upcoming Assembly session in March. A mechanism to protect women be established in Maharashtra on the lines of existing systems in Gujarat and Uttar Pradesh (UP). SHS highlighted that this was only a protest to gently remind the government. However, should the government fail to pass a stringent law in this matter, protests would be intensified across the state.

Maharashtra Government GR to fight the Love Jihad menace

The Maharashtra government had constituted a seven-member committee to explore the legal framework for a potential law aimed against forced religious conversions and cases labelled as love jihad.

The committee was headed by the Maharashtra Director General of Police (DGP), Sanjay Verma, and included senior officials from key government departments such as women and child welfare, minority affairs, law and judiciary, social justice and special assistance, and the home department. Its mandate, as outlined in a Government Resolution issued on 14 February 2025, was to examine the current situation in the state, suggest measures to handle complaints related to forced conversions and love jihad, review similar laws in other states, and recommend suitable legal provisions for Maharashtra if appropriate.

The ruling BJP-led coalition government highlighted that this move was part of its efforts to tackle what it perceives as a rising issue, particularly citing cases such as the Shraddha Walkar murder and other violent incidents involving interfaith couples to stress the need for protective legal measures.