# Pune law enforcement and festival security measures

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/pune-law-enforcement-and-festival-security-measures
> Updated: 2026-08-23T02:30:55.000Z. Sources: 7. Developments: 3.

Pune Police implemented prohibitory orders across the Pune City Police Commissionerate area to maintain law and order during the upcoming festival season, including Eid-e-Milad, Narali Purnima, and Raksha Bandhan.

Under the Maharashtra Police Act, 1951, the restrictions—effective from mid-August through August 31—prohibit gatherings of five or more people, public meetings, and processions without prior permission. The orders also ban the carrying of weapons, explosives, or flammable substances, and prohibit the use of inflammatory slogans, provocative images, or digital content intended to cause panic.

In a separate development, authorities withdrew charges related to the Maharashtra Freedom of Religion Act in two cases. Police Commissioner Amitesh Kumar confirmed the error occurred because officials assumed the legislation was active, though it is not scheduled to come into force until August 26, 2026. This error highlights the legal friction between state-level anti-conversion laws and Article 25 of the Indian Constitution, which protects the freedom to propagate religion. While such laws have been introduced in various Indian states since 2018, the specific provisions in Maharashtra were not yet operational at the time the offences were registered.

## Timeline

### 2026-08-23: Pune Police withdraws conversion law provisions in two cases

Pune Police withdrew conversion law provisions in two cases after finding the Act was not yet in force, highlighting ongoing legal tensions regarding religious freedom in India.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/pune-police-withdraws-conversion-law-provisions-in-two-cases

### 2026-08-18: Pune Police withdraw religious conversion charges and impose festival restrictions

Pune Police have withdrawn religious conversion charges due to a legal implementation error and have imposed 14-day preventive restrictions to maintain order during the upcoming festival season.

3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/pune-police-withdraw-religious-conversion-charges-and-impose-festival-restrictions

### 2026-08-15: Pune Police implement prohibitory orders through August 31

Pune Police have issued prohibitory orders from August 18 to 31, banning unauthorized gatherings of five or more people and the use of inflammatory materials to ensure peace during upcoming festivals.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/pune-police-implement-prohibitory-orders-through-august-31

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Cite as: Pune law enforcement and festival security measures. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/pune-law-enforcement-and-festival-security-measures