The government of Chhattisgarh has approved the draft of the Freedom of Religion Bill, 2026, aimed at curbing religious conversions carried out through force, inducement, fraud, undue influence, or misrepresentation. The decision was taken during a Cabinet meeting held in Raipur yesterday evening under the chairmanship of Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai.
According to officials, the proposed legislation seeks to strengthen legal safeguards against unlawful religious conversions in the state. The government has said that the Bill is intended to protect the freedom of individuals to practice and follow their religion while ensuring that conversions do not take place through coercive or deceptive means.
The draft Bill defines various forms of prohibited conversion, including those carried out through force, threats, allurement, fraudulent practices, or misuse of authority. It also proposes stricter legal provisions to deter individuals or organisations involved in such activities. The government believes that the law will help maintain social harmony and prevent exploitation of vulnerable sections of society.
The Cabinet’s approval marks a key step toward the introduction of the Bill in the state legislature. The Chhattisgarh government plans to present the Freedom of Religion Bill, 2026 during the ongoing Budget Session of the Chhattisgarh Legislative Assembly.
Once introduced, the Bill will be debated in the Assembly before it is taken up for passage. If enacted, the legislation is expected to provide a more comprehensive framework to regulate religious conversions in the state while reinforcing the constitutional principle of freedom of religion.
The move places Chhattisgarh among several Indian states that have enacted or proposed similar laws to regulate religious conversions, reflecting an ongoing national debate over the balance between religious freedom and the prevention of coercive conversion practices.
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