India (International Christian Concern) — The government of the central Indian state of Chhattisgarh has prepared a new draft anti-conversion law containing stringent provisions, claiming that it is imperative to maintain religious stability in the state. 

One of the main provisions in the new draft law is a clause on the need to curb a trend known as “changai sabhas,” or “healing crusades.” 

These and other provisions of this draft law will make it the most stringent anti-conversion law in the country, according to Vijay Sharma, deputy chief minister of Chhattisgarh. 

Sharma, who also holds the home ministry portfolio in the Chhattisgarh state legislature, speaking to the media on Oct. 13, stated that the healing crusades that spread misinformation will now be banned in the state, and those who forcibly convert will face strict action. 

The upcoming law will be “one step ahead” of similar legislation in other states. It will set an example across the country, and religious conversion will neither be easy nor possible secretly, Sharma stated. 

Chhattisgarh is being ruled by the pro-Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which also has its governments in most of the North Indian states. 

While Chhattisgarh has had an anti-conversion law since 1968, the BJP government has tried to make it more stringent. 

The new law aims to strengthen and expand the legal framework to address the issues more effectively. 

This latest draft law will be presented in the state legislative assembly during the winter session as a bill, and if it passes muster, then it will receive consent from the governor of Chhattisgarh and become a law. 

Sharma reportedly personally led the drafting of this law in 52 meetings and produced a five-page draft law that includes 17 key points. 

As per this draft, religious conversion without government procedures will no longer be easy. A 60-day notice will be required before converting, making it draconian. 

Anyone who coerces, pressures, or uses deceit to convert a person to another religion will face imprisonment and a heavy fine. 

The government, chaired by the State Chief Minister Vishnudev Sai, held a meeting with the district administrators of Chhattisgarh, also known as collectors, and police chiefs known as SPs (superintendent of police) to discuss the religious conversion and healing ceremonies issues. 

The draft law was presented in this meeting. 

According to the government, cases of forced religious conversions are rapidly emerging in the tribal areas of Bastar, Jashpur, and Raigarh districts in Chhattisgarh. Due to this, conflicts and factions have formed within the tribal communities, affecting law and order. 

Therefore, claims the state government, it is necessary to take such steps to maintain religious stability in Chhattisgarh. 

Meanwhile, Chhattisgarh is one of many BJP-ruled states that have implemented the anti-conversion laws in different forms in North India. 

Civil rights groups and Christian advocacy organizations have filed a batch of petitions in the Supreme Court of India challenging the constitutional validity of all these religious laws. 

The governments are expected to file their responses this weekend, and the hearing on these petitions is scheduled for the end of this month. Christians are eagerly awaiting the hearing. 

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