The Chhattisgarh assembly has passed the Freedom of Religion Bill 2026, which aims to prevent religious conversions carried out through force, inducement, fraud, or misrepresentation.
The bill, which includes stringent provisions such as life imprisonment in cases of 'mass conversion', was tabled by Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Sharma and passed after five hours of discussion.
The bill seeks to replace the existing Freedom of Religion Act 1968 and prohibits conversions carried out through force, coercion, undue influence, allurement, misrepresentation, fraudulent means, or marriage, including through digital platforms.
The bill defines 'allurement' as monetary benefits, gifts, employment, free education or medical facilities, promises of better lifestyle, or marriage, while 'coercion' includes psychological pressure, physical force or threats, including social boycott.
Mass conversion has been defined as conversion of two or more persons in a single event, and the bill mandates that individuals intending to convert must submit a declaration to the competent authority.
The bill also provides for compensation to victims of illegal conversion up to ₹10 lakh in addition to other punishments.
Stringent penal provisions have been proposed, including imprisonment of not less than seven years, extendable to 10 years, and a minimum fine of ₹5 lakh for violations.
