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Life imprisonment for religious conversion using deception in Chhattisgarh

  • The Religious Freedom Bill was passed in the Legislative Assembly

  • Rs 25 lakh fine to be imposed

  • The 10th Indian State enacting strict provisions against religious conversions

Raipur (Chhattisgarh) – The Chhattisgarh Legislative Assembly has passed the ‘Freedom of Religion Bill, 2026’. With this, Chhattisgarh has become the 10th Indian State to enact an anti-conversion law with strict provisions. It provides 7 to 10 years imprisonment and a fine of Rs 5 lakh minimum, if ​​found guilty of illegal conversion. This new bill, introduced by Home Minister Vijay Sharma, will replace the 1968 law. The Government expressed that the earlier law had limitations in the current technological and social situation.

Strict provisions to be in place

1. If the victim is a minor, female, Scheduled Caste, Scheduled Tribe or Other Backward Classes, the punishment will be increased to 10 to 20 years. A minimum fine of Rs. 10 lakh will also have to be paid.

2. In cases of mass conversion, there is a provision of imprisonment for a term ranging from 10 years to life imprisonment and a minimum fine of Rs. 25 lakh will be imposed.

The main purpose of the bill

The purpose of this bill is to prevent conversions carried out by force, inducement or fraud.
The bill was passed by the State cabinet last week. According to the Government, the 1968 Act has been strengthened, and new methods like digital media and financial inducements have been included in it. The State currently has the ‘Chhattisgarh Freedom of Religion Act, 1968’, which was adopted from Madhya Pradesh after the State was formed in November 2000.

Objections from the opposition, clarifications from the ruling party

Objection: The opinion of retired judges of the Supreme Court and High Courts, as well as MLAs of all parties, should have been taken.

Clarification: The bill was brought after detailed verification – Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Sharma

Objection: Such laws are already in force in many States of the country, and a case in this regard is pending in the Supreme Court.

Clarification: The Supreme Court has not prohibited States from making such laws. The State Government has the right to make laws as per the Constitution- Deputy Chief Minister

These states have strict anti-conversion laws

State : Year

  • Jharkhand : 2017
  • Uttarakhand: 2018
  • Himachal Pradesh: 2019
  • Uttar Pradesh: 2020
  • Madhya Pradesh: 2021
  • Gujarat: 2021
  • Karnataka: 2022
  • Haryana: 2022
  • Rajasthan: 2025
  • Chhattisgarh: 2026
  • Maharashtra: 2026

(Approved by the State Cabinet, law to be passed)

(This law was passed when the BJP was in power in all the above States.)

[This law also exists in the States of Odisha (1967) and Arunachal Pradesh (1978), but it is not very effective]

Editorial Perspectives

  • Congratulations to the BJP Government of Chhattisgarh for trying to curb Love Jihad by enacting an anti-conversion law. There should be awareness among Hindus about such laws. Also, the Government should make every effort to create fear of this law among those who try to convert gullible Hindus by deception or force.
  • It is the need of the hour that the Union Government, keeping sensitivity towards Hindus in non-BJP-ruled States, pass a nationwide, strict anti-conversion law.

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