Goa government withdraws anti-conversion bill after legislative backlash
The BJP government in Goa, led by Chief Minister Pramod Sawant, has decided not to table the anti-conversion bill during the ongoing three-day monsoon session of the state assembly, following protests from multiple legislators including BJP members. BJP legislator Michael Lobo announced on Monday, August 31, 2026, that the decision was taken after the Chief Minister held meetings with lawmakers opposing the proposed bill.
The Goa Prohibition of Unlawful Conversion of Religion Bill, 2026, had been approved by the state cabinet the previous week. However, before the assembly session commenced, Sawant convened a meeting with several legislators to discuss the bill. Lobo stated that some BJP legislators and a BJP-backed independent MLA raised objections to the proposed legislation, leading to the government's decision to withdraw it from the current session.
