The Maharashtra government has formed a 27-member committee to examine whether Scheduled Tribe members can continue to receive benefits such as reservation after religious conversion. The committee is meant to study the legal framework and recommend a comprehensive state policy, so the issue now moves from political allegation to formal policy review.
What the committee will examine
The committee is headed by Tribal Development Minister Ashok Uike. It includes other ministers and MLAs from Scheduled Tribe constituencies, and the Tribal Research and Training Institute commissioner in Pune has been appointed member secretary.
The government resolution issued on July 16 says the panel will study central and state laws governing welfare measures for Scheduled Tribe people after conversion. The resolution did not specify a deadline for the draft policy.
Background to the move
The committee was created after Assembly allegations in the Monsoon session of 2025 about Christian missionary activity in Navapur taluka of Nandurbar district. BJP legislators, including Anupbhaiyya Agrawal, alleged inducements for conversion and sought withdrawal of benefits for people who convert.
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