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'Kerala Story 2' producer Vipul Amrutlal Shah has welcomed the Maharashtra government's proposed anti-conversion legislation, saying recent incidents have led more people to "understand" the subject explored in his film.
Speaking about the Maharashtra Freedom of Religion Bill, 2026, also referred to as the Dharma Swatantrya Adhiniyam, 2026, Shah said that public perception around 'Kerala Story 2' had changed after the alleged TCS Nashik incident. "When Kerala Story 2 was released, many said that it was not true. Then the incident of TCS Nashik happened, and I got so many messages and calls saying sorry for perceiving the film in the wrong way... It is a good thing that people are now seeing the truth and understanding it," Shah said in a conversation with ANI. The filmmaker also expressed support for the Maharashtra government's move to introduce the bill in the state assembly. "I believe that our CM and Deputy CM have tried every possible way to develop Maharashtra, and the Bill (Dharma Swatantrya Adhiniyam, 2026) is a part of it... I welcome the Bill," he added. The proposed Maharashtra Freedom of Religion Bill, 2026, has triggered sharp political reactions. All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) chief Asaduddin Owaisi has strongly criticised the draft legislation, calling it "worse than the worst of such laws" and alleging that it violates the constitutional right to privacy. In a post on X, Owaisi said the bill criminalises even genuine religious conversions and could create risks for interfaith couples seeking marriage. He argued that provisions in the proposed law could allow arbitrary arrests. "The Maharashtra anti-conversion bill is worse than the worst of such laws, such as the one in UP. These laws already criminalise even genuine conversions, make it risky for interfaith couples to marry, and require prior permission for conversion," Owaisi said. He further objected to provisions related to "brainwashing through education", questioning whether reading religious texts or learning from religious scholars could fall under scrutiny. "This is a brazen violation of the right to privacy. The Supreme Court has held that this right includes the freedom to choose or not choose a faith," he stated. The Maharashtra government recently introduced the draft legislation in the state assembly with provisions for imprisonment in cases related to forced religious conversions. While presenting the bill, Maharashtra Minister of State for Home Pankaj Bhoyar said, "In recent years, there have been instances of forced religious conversions from one faith to another. These incidents disrupt public order and damage social harmony. I introduce Legislative Assembly Bill No. 20 of 2026, the Maharashtra Freedom of Religion Bill, 2026." (ANI)
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