The Chhattisgarh government has presented the Chhattisgarh Swatantraya Vidheyak 2026 (Freedom of Religion Bill 2026) in the Assembly to crack down on forced or induced religious conversions. This new legislation enhances the existing Freedom of Religion Act of 1968 by defining terms like coercion, inducement, misrepresentation, mass conversion, and digital platform conversions. The bill proposes harsh penalties to deter coercive conversion practices.
The introduction of the Freedom of Religion Bill 2026 in Chhattisgarh triggered a heated debate in the Assembly, leading to the Opposition walking out in protest. The Leader of the Opposition, Charandas Mahant, raised concerns about the bill, citing similar cases in other states pending before the Supreme Court. He advocated for sending the bill to a Select Committee for further review.
The proposed law aims to prohibit conversions through force, inducement, coercion, or deceit, mandating that individuals voluntarily converting religions inform the District Magistrate beforehand. The bill also outlines penalties for unlawful conversions, with stricter consequences for minors, women, or individuals from marginalized communities. Offenses related to mass conversions could result in life imprisonment and hefty fines.
