Raipur, March 19, 2026 — The Chhattisgarh government on Thursday tabled the Chhattisgarh Freedom of Religion Bill, 2026 (also known as the Chhattisgarh Dharm Swatantraya Vidheyak, 2026) in the state Legislative Assembly, marking a significant step to strengthen laws against illegal religious conversions.
The bill, which updates and expands the decades-old Chhattisgarh Freedom of Religion Act, 1968 (inherited from Madhya Pradesh), seeks to prohibit conversions carried out through force, allurement (inducement), fraud, misrepresentation, undue influence, or coercion. It explicitly addresses modern methods of inducement, including digital and economic incentives, as well as events like “Changai Sabha” (faith-healing congregations) that the government claims are used to mislead people.
# Cabinet Approval and Legislative Timeline
The draft was cleared by the BJP-led Cabinet on March 10, 2026, during a meeting chaired by Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai. Deputy Chief Minister and Home Minister Vijay Sharma tabled the bill in the ongoing Budget Session on Thursday. A detailed discussion on the legislation is scheduled for later in the session.
Sharma had announced the government’s intent as early as October 2025, promising a law that would be “a step ahead” of similar statutes in other states. He emphasised that the draft was prepared after studying anti-conversion laws across nine states.
# Key Provisions
According to government statements and reports:
- Conversions must be preceded by 60 days’ prior intimation to the district administration.
- The process requires formal approval and publication of the intended conversion in a local newspaper.
- Any conversion bypassing these rules will be deemed invalid.
- The bill targets “newer dimensions of inducement” — such as online lures, financial incentives, or indirect threats — that were not explicitly covered in the 1968 Act.
While major outlets describe the penalties as “stringent,” reports citing the draft indicate imprisonment ranging from 7 to 14 years along with fines up to ₹5 lakh for offences involving force, fraud, or inducement. Mass or organised conversions are expected to attract even harsher provisions. Officials stressed that the law aims to protect constitutional religious freedom while preventing social discord, particularly in tribal-dominated districts like Bastar, Narayanpur, Kondagaon, and Kanker.
# Background and Context
Chhattisgarh has witnessed repeated allegations of forced conversions, especially in tribal areas where Christian missionary activity is active. Notable incidents include:
- The 2023 mob attack on a church in Narayanpur and subsequent social boycott of over 100 new Christian converts in several districts.
- The July 2025 arrest of two Kerala nuns accused of trafficking and illegal conversion of tribal women (later contested by the women involved).
- Right-wing protests on Christmas Eve 2025, including the destruction of decorations at a Raipur mall over alleged illegal conversions.
The 1968 Act already existed but was considered outdated and insufficient to tackle contemporary challenges, prompting the new legislation.
# Reactions
The Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) welcomed the move, calling it a necessary step to protect Hindus from “conversion gangs” and “love jihad.” National spokesperson Vinod Bansal said the law would ensure “strict punishment” and bring Chhattisgarh in line with over a dozen states that have enacted similar legislation.
Opposition voices have been muted so far, though some social media commentary and earlier debates have called for the bill to be referred to a Joint Select Committee for broader scrutiny. Minority groups and civil society organisations have historically criticised such laws as tools to target Christians and other minorities in tribal regions, arguing they infringe on constitutional guarantees of religious freedom. No formal statement from the Congress party was immediately available after the tabling.
# Implications
If passed, the bill will make Chhattisgarh the latest state to enact a robust anti-conversion framework, joining Odisha (1967), Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, and others. Supporters view it as a safeguard for social harmony and voluntary faith; critics see it as part of a broader pattern of regulating minority religious practices.
The Assembly debate in the coming days is expected to be intense, with the government pushing for swift passage amid its majority. The final shape of penalties and procedural safeguards will become clearer once the bill is discussed and potentially amended.
This development comes as religious conversion remains a politically charged issue across India, with governments emphasising protection against coercion while balancing the fundamental right to profess, practise, and propagate religion under Article 25 of the Constitution.
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