‘Enter at own risk’: churches to non-Christians as anti-conversion law takes effect in Chhattisgarh

“In accordance with church management rules, entry into the church for worship is restricted to Christians. Others who enter voluntarily do so at their own risk” — reads a noticeboard in Hindi outside the 116-year-old Sunderganj Mennonite Church in Dhamtari, Chhattisgarh.

A similar board outside the Church of God in the city states: “Worship here is exclusively for Christians; if you are not legally a Christian, you will be held personally responsible.”

It has been nearly a month since such boards have come up outside churches in the city. “They have been put up primarily as a precautionary measure to avoid action under the Chhattisgarh Freedom of Religion Act, 2026,” said Diamond Philus, general secretary of the Dhamtari District Christian Forum.

The law, which was notified in August, is aimed at curbing religious conversions, according to Ministers in the BJP government.

‘Draconian provisions’

Mr. Philus said the law mandates that anyone seeking to change their religion must inform the district administration 60 days in advance. Terming the law’s provisions “draconian”, he alleged that it leaves room for anyone to be framed under it.

The forum claimed that more than 1,000 people have submitted self-declaration forms at the District Collectorate stating that they were attending religious meetings at churches or prayer halls “voluntarily and at their own risk”.

Mr. Philus shared a copy of the declaration form, which seeks details of the applicant and the church or prayer venue. It states that attendance is voluntary and based on personal faith and freedom of conscience. It requires the applicant to confirm that there has been no force, threat, undue influence, inducement, fraud or deception, and no known instance of such means being used for conversion has come to their notice.

He said another reason for putting up the boards was disruption of prayer meetings by members of right-wing groups. He said he hoped the boards would make the environment secure for the Christian community.

Such disruptions, as well as disputes over the last rites of the deceased, have often been reported in Dhamtari and other parts of the State, he said.

“We are not restricting anyone, but if people want to come, they should come at their own risk,” he said.

Citing an instance after the notices were put up that reaffirmed the need for them, Mr. Philus said, “A meeting was called at the District Collectorate on September 15. The forum was not informed that right-wing groups would be present. When they said we should not allow people inside the church till they have converted, the government officials supported their stand.”