Chhattisgarh Plans to Bar Converted Tribals from Welfare Schemes

Raipur, August 19, 2025: The Chhattisgarh government is preparing to bar individuals from the Scheduled Tribes (ST) who convert to another religion from accessing government welfare schemes, extending a restriction currently applied only to Scheduled Castes (SC).

Under the proposed amendment, tribals who have converted and been availing themselves of dual benefits—ST reservation alongside minority welfare schemes—will lose access to both. The ruling BJP argues that the move is necessary to end “dual entitlements”, while the Opposition has dismissed it as politically driven.

Deputy Chief Minister and Law Minister Arun Sao said the government would strengthen the law with guidance from legal experts and seek approval from the Centre for national-level changes.

The state has recorded more than 100 cases of religious conversion in the past two years, with 44 leading to police cases. To address the trend, the government plans to replace the Chhattisgarh Dharma Swatantrata Adhiniyam, 1968, with stricter legislation. The draft law would expand the definitions of inducement and forced conversion, require 60 days’ prior notice to district authorities, and impose prison terms of up to 10 years for unreported conversions.

The move revives a 2006 provision introduced under then Chief Minister Dr Raman Singh, which prescribed a two-year jail sentence and a fine of ₹10,000 for forced conversions of women, minors, Dalits, and tribals. That measure, however, was never implemented.

Former Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel has urged the BJP to enforce the existing provision rather than “politicising” the issue. In contrast, Arvind Netam, patron of the Sarva Adivasi Samaj, welcomed the new proposal as “critical for safeguarding tribal culture and traditions.”

The proposal is expected to spark renewed political and social debate in a state where conversions remain a sensitive issue.

Source : The Statesman

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