Raipur, March 19, 2026: Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Dev Sai has termed the passing of the Dharma Swatantrya Vidheyak 2026 (Freedom of Religion Bill 2026) by the State Legislative Assembly as a significant milestone for the state’s cultural identity and social equilibrium.
The Chief Minister stated that, for some time now, incidents of religious conversion—targeting vulnerable sections of society through inducements, coercion, or the dissemination of misinformation—have been coming to light, thereby adversely affecting the social fabric.
He added that the implementation of the new bill would place an effective curb on such tendencies and help maintain balance and trust within society.
Sai clarified that it would now be mandatory to ensure that any process related to religious conversion is both lawful and transparent. Under this framework, the concerned parties must provide prior intimation to an authorized officer; subsequently, a public notice regarding the application will be issued, and it will undergo scrutiny within a stipulated timeframe. This process aims to ensure that any conversion takes place without any form of inducement, coercion, or undue influence, he added.
The Chief Minister noted that the previously existing law was relatively less effective, which hindered the achievement of the desired success in curbing illegal activities. The new provisions incorporate stringent penal measures, thereby enabling strict action to be taken against individuals involved in such cases.
He remarked that uncontrolled religious conversions often lead to social imbalance and unrest. Through this bill, the protection of peace, harmony, and cultural values within the state will be further strengthened.
On this occasion, Sai paid tribute to the former union minister late Dilip Singh Judev, stating that the public awareness campaign he spearheaded against religious conversions continues to serve as a guiding light for society today.
He emphasized that sustainable positive change in this direction is possible only through the active awareness and participation of the community.
The Chief Minister expressed his confidence that this bill would reinforce transparency, justice, and social unity within the state, thereby establishing Chhattisgarh as a strong, balanced, and culturally rich entity.
On this occasion, extending his greetings to the people of the state on the Hindu New Year and Chaitra Navratri, Sai prayed to Goddess Durga for the state’s prosperity, peace, and happiness.
