Chhattisgarh BJP Plans Stricter Laws Against 'Illegal Conversions', Home Minister Vows Action Against Malafide NGOs

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government in Chhattisgarh is planning to introduce a strict law to tackle the issue of "illegal conversions", state Home Minister Vijay Sharma announced on Monday (17 March).

Sharma responded to the accusation made by BJP member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) Ajay Chandrakar during the current Assembly Session, Indian Express reported.

Chandrakar alleged that "changai sabhas" (faith healing events) were being conducted in the state to “lure innocent, helpless and poor people with various kinds of temptations to mislead and convert them”.

Notably, Chhattisgarh already enforces penalties for forced conversions under the Chhattisgarh Freedom of Religion Act 1968. However, the BJP-led government under Vishnu Deo Sai is advocating for a stricter anti-conversion law in the state.

Although a new bill has allegedly been in development since the previous year, it has not yet been presented in the Assembly.

"There are many such NGOs in the state, which are registered on religious basis and are also getting funds from abroad. Nine out of 19 registered institutions in Bastar district and 15 out of 18 institutions in Jashpur district are being run by Christian missionaries," he said in a notice to the Assembly.

Alleging that these NGOs do not file audit report, Chandrakar also indirectly attacked Chief Minister (CM) Sai by mentioning that most of the institutions operate in Jashpur (CM's home district) and most cases of conversion are also from this district.

Home Minister Vijay Sharma refuted Chandrakar's claim that the rise in conversions was due to insufficient regulation of these institutions.

“On receiving complaints of conversion by luring people under the guise of healing meetings in the state, police conduct proper investigation and take prompt legal action. Regarding conversion, legal action has been taken by registering criminal cases by registering zero cases in the year 2019, 01 in the year 2020, 07 in the year 2021, 03 in the year 2022, zero in the year 2023, 12 in the year 2024, 04 in the year 2025,” he said.

However, Sharma told media later, "Measures are now being implemented to counteract illegal conversions. We are on the verge of introducing a strict law to prevent such conversions from occurring. If we receive any grievances regarding improper audits of these NGOs, we will promptly take action."