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Events / Chhattisgarh Passes Anti-Conversion Bill
Domestic Legislative bill passed

Chhattisgarh Passes Anti-Conversion Bill

Analysis based on 14 articles · First reported Mar 19, 2026 · Last updated Mar 20, 2026

Sentiment
0
Attention
2
Articles
14
Market Impact
General
Live prominence charts, article sentiment distribution, and event development timeline available on the NewsDesk Dashboard
Market Impact

This event has minimal direct impact on financial markets as it is a local legislative matter concerning religious conversions. However, it reflects the political and social climate in India===Chhattisgarh, which could indirectly influence investor sentiment regarding the state's stability and governance.

Government Legal
Event Summary

The India===Chhattisgarh assembly passed the India===Chhattisgarh Dharm Swatantraya Vidheyak, 2026, a bill aimed at preventing religious conversions through force, inducement, fraud, or misrepresentation. The bill, introduced by Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Sharma, replaces the 1968 Freedom of Religion Act and introduces stringent provisions, including life imprisonment for 'mass conversion' (defined as two or more persons). It also mandates declarations from individuals intending to convert and religious functionaries, and defines 'allurement' and 'coercion' broadly. The India===Indian National Congress boycotted the proceedings, arguing the bill infringes on personal faith and privacy, while the India===Bharatiya Janata Party government asserted its necessity due to alleged forced conversions in the state.

Key Actions
100 India===Chhattisgarh passed a bill to prevent religious conversions
80 Vijay Sharma (politician) tabled and defended the bill India===Chhattisgarh
70 India===Indian National Congress boycotted assembly proceedings India===Chhattisgarh
Entities Involved
loc
India===Chhattisgarh
India===Chhattisgarh passed the India===Chhattisgarh Dharm Swatantraya Vidheyak, 2026, a bill aimed at preventing religious conversions through force, inducement, fraud, or misrepresentation. This new law replaces the India===Chhattisgarh Dharm Swatantraya Adhiniyam, 1968, and introduces stricter penalties, including life imprisonment for mass conversions.
Importance 100 Sentiment 0
per
Vijay Sharma (politician)
Vijay Sharma, the Deputy Chief Minister and Home Minister of India===Chhattisgarh, tabled and defended the India===Chhattisgarh Dharm Swatantraya Vidheyak, 2026 in the assembly. He accused the India===Indian National Congress of vote bank politics and emphasized the need for the new law.
Importance 80 Sentiment 20
polparty
India===Indian National Congress
The India===Indian National Congress legislators boycotted the assembly proceedings after their demand to refer the bill to a Select Committee for consultation was rejected. They accused the ruling party of creating an atmosphere of fear and surveillance around personal faith and choice.
Importance 60 Sentiment -20
polparty
India===Bharatiya Janata Party
The India===Bharatiya Janata Party-led government in India===Chhattisgarh successfully passed the India===Chhattisgarh Dharm Swatantraya Vidheyak, 2026, despite opposition boycott. They argued the bill is necessary to address the current scenario of alleged forced conversions.
Importance 60 Sentiment 20
per
Vishnu Deo Sai
Vishnu Deo Sai, the Chief Minister of India===Chhattisgarh, stated that the new legislation would stop conversions carried out by taking advantage of people's poverty, lack of education, and knowledge.
Importance 50 Sentiment 10
govactor
India===Supreme Court of India
The India===Indian National Congress noted that similar laws from 11 states are currently under consideration before the India===Supreme Court of India, suggesting potential future legal challenges to the India===Chhattisgarh Dharm Swatantraya Vidheyak, 2026.
Importance 20 Sentiment 0
loc
India===Madhya Pradesh
The India===Chhattisgarh Dharm Swatantraya Adhiniyam, 1968, which the new bill replaces, was originally adopted from India===Madhya Pradesh when India===Chhattisgarh was formed.
Importance 10 Sentiment 0
Relationships
India===Indian National Congress related ↔ India===Bharatiya Janata Party
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