State Home Minister Vijay Sharma introduced the bill. The bill is based on the state’s existing Freedom of Religion Act 1968, which was originally adopted from Madhya Pradesh in 2000 after the formation of Chhattisgarh.
The new bill provides clear definitions of inducement, forced conversion, misrepresentation, mass conversion and even religious conversion through digital platforms like social media, and also sets out stringent penal provisions to curb forced conversions.
There was an uproar in the Chhattisgarh Assembly when the Freedom of Religion Bill 2026 was introduced and the opposition walked out of the House after its objections were rejected.
Leader of Opposition Charandas Mahanta argued that similar cases are already before the Supreme Court in 11 states and urged to send the bill to a select committee.
He warned against making laws while the Supreme Court is hearing cases and stressed unity, tolerance and social justice, quoting the words of Ambedkar, Vajpayee and Buddha.
The proposed law seeks to ban religious conversion by force, inducement, pressure or fraud. Under this, it will be mandatory for those who voluntarily convert to inform the District Magistrate in advance and the details will be made public for filing objections.
There is a provision of strict punishment in this law, under which illegal conversion can lead to imprisonment of seven to ten years and a fine starting from Rs 5 lakh. This may extend to 20 years’ imprisonment and Rs 10 lakh if the victim is a minor, a woman or belongs to a Scheduled Caste, Scheduled Tribe or Other Backward Class.
Mass conversion can result in life imprisonment and a fine of up to Rs 25 lakh. All offenses will be cognizable, non-bailable and tried in special courts.
Mamata Banerjee’s departure from West Bengal is certain, BJP will form majority government!
Comments are closed.