Thousands of Christians protest Chhattisgarh’s new anti-conversion bill, calling it a “black law” that threatens religious freedom.
Newsroom (31/03/2026 Gaudium Press ) Thousands of Christians flooded the streets across Chhattisgarh on March 28, voicing sharp opposition to the state’s newly passed anti-conversion legislation. The peaceful marches, spanning all 33 districts, marked one of the largest coordinated Christian demonstrations in the central Indian state’s history.
The Chhattisgarh Freedom of Religion Bill, 2026, passed by the state assembly on March 19, drew widespread condemnation from protestors who branded it a “black law.” The legislation introduces harsher penalties — including life imprisonment — for conversions carried out by alleged force, fraud, or allurement. It awaits the governor’s assent before becoming law, replacing a 1968 statute that had governed conversions since Chhattisgarh’s formation in 2000.
Christian leaders from multiple denominations stood united under the banner of the Samyukt Masihi Samaj (United Christian Society), signaling an unprecedented show of interdenominational solidarity. In Ambikapur diocese alone, more than 5,000 people marched under the guidance of Bishop Antonis Bara, who warned that the bill could be weaponized against innocent believers. “Our people fear that the proposed law will be misused by vested interests to harass them,” Bishop Bara told UCA News.
In Raigarh, Bishop Paul Toppo reported that over 3,000 Christians — Catholics among them — had joined local demonstrations. Toppo expressed fears that even routine religious gatherings, such as prayer meetings, could be mistaken for attempts at conversion. He urged calm within the community, asking followers to “remain vigilant but peaceful.”
Beyond church walls, civil society groups also joined the rising chorus of dissent. Sunil Minj, a member of the Bharat Mukti Morcha (India Freedom Front), criticized the government for bypassing consultations with key stakeholders. “It should have consulted key stakeholders before introducing such legislation,” Minj said, arguing that the bill “goes against the spirit of the Indian Constitution, which grants citizens the right to choose their faith.” He further noted that there is “no credible evidence of large-scale illegal conversions” in the state.
In Jashpur, Bishop Emmanuel Kerketta reinforced a unified demand: the complete withdrawal of the bill. “Our demand across the state is the same — we want the state government to take back the new bill,” he said.
The state capital, Raipur, witnessed one of the largest processions, as demonstrators attempted to march toward the Raj Bhavan, the governor’s residence. They presented seven demands to state authorities, including immediate repeal of the legislation and protective measures against what they termed “false cases” and “arbitrary arrests.” The protest movement drew solidarity from local Muslim communities and indigenous organizations such as the Bastar Bheem Army, reflecting broader concerns over shrinking civic freedoms.
However, Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai, whose Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government introduced the measure, defended the legislation as essential to “protect local cultural identity and maintain social harmony.” Officials argue that the bill merely strengthens existing laws against fraudulent conversions.
Anti-conversion statutes, officially known as Freedom of Religion Acts, are already enforced in 13 Indian states. Yet Chhattisgarh’s version has alarmed minority leaders because of its sweeping scope and harsh punishments. Christians represent less than two percent of the state’s nearly 30 million residents — a small community now feeling the weight of a law that many say could curtail their constitutional rights.
For Chhattisgarh’s Christian population, the protests were more than a political statement; they were a plea for recognition and reassurance. As the state awaits the governor’s decision, tensions continue to simmer, leaving faith groups and civil rights watchers alike questioning what religious freedom will look like in India’s heartland in the months ahead.
- Raju Hasmukh with files form UCA News
Related Images:
