The Maharashtra government has set up a 27-member committee of Scheduled Tribe legislators to review the legal framework for benefits available to ST individuals after religious conversion. The decision follows allegations raised in the state assembly about Christian missionaries in Navapur taluka of Nandurbar district.
The move stems from an attention notice moved during the 2025 monsoon session of the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly. The notice alleged that Christian religious leaders and missionaries in Navapur taluka were using inducements to compel tribals and non-tribals to convert.
During the debate, members demanded that concessions for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes be withdrawn after conversion. The Revenue Minister and the Tribal Development Minister assured the House that a committee of ST legislators would deliberate and formulate a policy.
The committee is chaired by Mr. Uike and includes the Minister of State for Tribal Development Mr. Indranil Naik, the Food and Drug Administration Minister Mr. Narbhari Zirwal, 26 MLAs representing ST constituencies, and the Commissioner of the Tribal Research and Training Institute as member secretary. A Government Resolution has been issued to formalise the panel.
The committee will study central laws and policies in other states on post-conversion concessions for ST individuals. It is tasked with recommending a comprehensive policy for Maharashtra.
