The Chhattisgarh assembly has passed the Freedom of Religion Bill, 2026, imposing severe penalties for conversions through force, inducement or fraud. The bill replaces a 1968 law and provides for life imprisonment in cases of mass conversions. Opposition Congress objected and boycotted proceedings.
Raipur: The Chhattisgarh government tabled the Chhattisgarh Dharm Swatantraya Vidheyak, 2026 (Freedom of Religion Bill, 2026) in the assembly on Thursday, targeting religious conversions through force, inducement, fraud, misrepresentation or marriage, including via digital platforms. Introduced by Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Sharma, who holds the home portfolio, it replaces the 1968 law adopted from Madhya Pradesh, deemed inadequate amid modern changes. The bill broadly defines 'allurement' to include gifts, jobs or promises of better life, and 'coercion' as threats or social boycott. 'Mass conversion' means two or more persons in one event. Offences are cognisable and non-bailable, excluding reconversions to ancestral religion. Punishments include 7-10 years imprisonment and ₹5 lakh fine for general cases; 10-20 years and ₹10 lakh for involving minors, women, SC/ST/OBC; 10 years to life and ₹25 lakh for mass conversions; life for repeat offenders. Victims can receive up to ₹10 lakh compensation. Opposition Congress objected, demanding a select committee. Leader Charan Das Mahant called it a 'violation of privacy' that fosters 'fear around personal faith'. T.S. Singh Deo criticised the mass conversion definition as 'disproportionate'. Deepak Baij warned of vague terms targeting minorities. They boycotted after rejection. MLAs opposed public display of conversion notices. Sharma accused Congress of vote-bank politics, citing incidents in Bastar's Narayanpur and Kanker districts. 'We don't curb voluntary conversions,' he said. He noted the 1968 law was from Congress-era Madhya Pradesh. Similar laws exist in states like Odisha, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh and others.
