Chhattisgarh's Proposed Anti-Conversion Bill: Declarations, DM Scrutiny & Stricter Regulations

Days after Chhattisgarh Minister and BJP leader Brijmohan Agrawal announced, during a State Assembly discussion, that the Vishnu Deo Sai-led government is preparing to introduce legislation to stop “illegal religious conversion” in the state, Agrawal further disclosed the introduction of an anti-conversion bill titled the ‘Freedom of Religion (Amendment) Bill’.

According to a report in the Indian Express, the proposed draft “Chhattisgarh Prohibition of Unlawful Religious Conversion Bill” requires individuals seeking to convert to another religion to complete a form containing personal details and submit it to the District Magistrate at least 60 days prior to the intended conversion. The District Magistrate will then enlist the police to assess the individual’s “real intention, reason, and purpose.” Although the draft is prepared, sources indicate that there may be some amendments before its formal presentation in the State Assembly.

The draft legislation also prohibits conversion from one religion to another through methods such as “abuse, force, undue influence, coercion, inducement or by any fraudulent means or by marriage.”

If the District Magistrate determines that any of these prohibited methods were employed, the conversion will be deemed illegal. Additionally, the person conducting the conversion ceremony is required to submit a form at least one month prior to the scheduled event.

The draft also outlines that after the conversion, an individual is required to complete another declaration form within 60 days and appear before the DM for verification. Failure to comply with this requirement may lead to the conversion being considered illegal, as specified in the draft. Additionally, it states that the DM will publicly display a copy of the declaration on the notice board of his office until the confirmation date, the report stated.

Last month, Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai, during an event, accused Christian missionaries of carrying out conversion under the garb of healthcare and education.

“Chhattisgarh is dominated by missionaries. In the tribal areas, they are active in education and health sectors, resulting in a rise in conversions. Only when all this stops will Hindutva get strengthened,” Sai noted.