Amid conversion row, Chhattisgarh govt to bring ‘stringent’ law in next Assembly session — ‘Need to deal with healing congregations’

At present, such cases are covered under the Chhattisgarh Freedom of Religion Act, 1968.

Allegations of “religious conversions” have been a polarising issue in the state. On July 25 this year, two nuns from Kerala were arrested by the Durg Government Railway Police (GRP) for allegedly trafficking three women from Narayanpur district, triggering a political row.

In January 2023, a mob of around 50 people allegedly vandalised a church in Narayanpur district and attacked police officials, including the Superintendent of Police. Following the incident, more than 100 people who had converted to Christianity were reportedly socially boycotted from their villages in Kanker, Kondagaon and Narayanpur, and had to live in a stadium in Narayanpur.

There have been several confrontations between right-wing groups and Christians in parts of Chhattisgarh, including Raipur, over alleged conversions. In the Bastar region, tribals and Dalits who have converted to Christianity have also faced restrictions on burying their dead in village burial grounds.

In January this year, Ramesh Baghel approached the Supreme Court seeking permission to bury his father, Subhash, a pastor, in his village Chhindawada in Bastar district. The court rejected the plea but directed the Chhattisgarh government to demarcate exclusive graveyard sites for Christians across the state within two months.

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