Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai today termed the passage of the Chhattisgarh Freedom of Religion (Amendment) Bill, 2026, in the state Legislative Assembly as ‘justice’ for victims of forced religious conversions. In a post on X, the Chief Minister said the historic legislation will end the exploitation of people’s illiteracy, poverty, and ignorance through allurement and inducement. “Both the person conducting the conversion and the person being converted must provide prior notice to the competent officer. A notice will be issued within a week and publicised on the district website. Competent officials will probe the matter within a month to rule out any inducement, allurement, fear, or coercion. Permission will be granted only if everything complies with the rules,” Sai posted.

 

The Bill introduces stringent measures, declaring conversions by deception, force, inducement, or digital means as cognizable and non-bailable offences. It mandates transparency to prevent illegal practices, including those disguised as marriages. “Illegal conversions will be completely curbed. This law shields the religious freedom of Chhattisgarh’s people, preserves the dignity of vulnerable sections’ faith, and respects religion and culture through good governance,” Sai asserted. “Protecting religion and society is our resolve. Strict regulations ensure no conversions happen via deception, inducement, or pressure. Abuses under the guise of marriage-based conversions will stop, upholding transparency, law, and societal dignity,” he added. The legislation strengthens safeguards against forced conversions, marking a key step in BJP Government’s commitment to protecting tribal and vulnerable communities.