Chhattisgarh to bring stricter law against illegal religious conversions: Dy CM

The proposed legislation will also include provisions to curb ‘changai sabha’ or faith-healing gatherings, which the government considers misleading

Published on: Oct 14, 2025, 18:37:47 IST

By Ritesh Mishra

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Raipur: Chhattisgarh deputy chief minister Vijay Sharma on Tuesday said that the state government will introduce a stricter law in the next session of the state assembly to prevent illegal religious conversions. The proposed legislation will also include provisions to curb ‘changai sabha’ or faith-healing gatherings, which the government considers misleading.

Chhattisgarh deputy chief minister Vijay Sharma. (File)

Sharma, who also holds the home portfolio, told reporters that the upcoming law will be “one step ahead” of similar legislations in other states.

“An Act will be introduced in the upcoming session of the assembly, which I believe will go beyond the existing Acts in other states, as it incorporates everyone’s experiences and provisions already in force elsewhere,” Sharma said.

He added, “Additionally, there are things like ‘changai sabha’, which everybody understands are misleading. Therefore, these things must be stopped. This requires legal provisions, which will be included in the upcoming Act.”

Chief minister Vishnu Deo Sai and deputy CM Vijay Sharma had earlier stated that the government is committed to bringing a new law to curb illegal religious conversions in the state.

Currently, the Chhattisgarh Freedom of Religion Act, 1968, is in force to deal with cases of forced or fraudulent conversions. The new law, officials said, aims to strengthen and expand the legal framework to address the issue more effectively.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Ritesh Mishra
Ritesh Mishra is the State Correspondent for Chhattisgarh with Hindustan Times. He reports on Maoism, internal security, politics, mining, governance, and major developments shaping the state. Based in Raipur, he has covered Chhattisgarh since 2016, reporting extensively from the Bastar region and other conflict-affected areas. With nearly two decades of experience in journalism, Ritesh has built a reputation for ground reporting from some of India's most challenging terrains. His coverage spans Left-Wing Extremism, counter-insurgency operations, elections, tribal affairs, environmental issues, infrastructure, mining, and socio-economic developments. He has reported on major security operations, policy initiatives, wildlife crime, and the changing dynamics of conflict and development in Central India. Before moving to Chhattisgarh, Ritesh spent eight years reporting from Madhya Pradesh, covering politics, administration, crime, development, and social issues. Throughout his career, he has reported on various forms of extremism in Central India, combining field reporting with in-depth analysis to produce accurate, balanced, and impactful journalism. Prior to joining Hindustan Times, Ritesh worked with The Pioneer and The Free Press Journal, where he covered a wide range of beats and honed his skills in political, investigative, and field reporting. His reporting is marked by exclusive stories, extensive fieldwork, and a commitment to factual, on-the-ground journalism that brings complex issues to a wider audience.Read More

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