Raipur: 

"There are several such NGOs in the state, registered on a religious basis and are also getting funds from abroad. In Bastar district, nine out of 19 registered organisations and in Jashpur district, 15 out of 18 institutions are being run by Christian missionaries. Conversion activities are getting encouragement due to lack of control on these organisations," he alleged.

Most of the organisations are operating in Jashpur district (the home district of Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai), where a majority of conversion cases are reported, he said, citing some registered cases of religious conversion in Bilaspur and Raipur districts earlier this year.

"The use of foreign funding in conversion cannot be denied. Though the government claims to have banned such funds, the institutions find their way by not providing audit reports," Chandrakar claimed.

The Chhattisgarh government will soon enact a legislature to prevent illegal religious conversation, Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Sharma said on Monday. The announcement follows BJP MLA Ajay Chandrasekhar raising the issue of illegal religious conversation through a call attention notice in the assembly.

In the guise of 'changai sabha' (healing meeting) innocent, helpless, poor people are being converted through allurement, Chandrakar said, adding that NGOs formed to work in health, education and social work sectors were receiving foreign funds, which was being allegedly used for conversion.

In his reply, Sharma, who also holds the home portfolio, said it is not correct to say that incidents of conversion are increasing due to a lack of control over NGOs. Police conduct proper investigations and take prompt legal action when complaints are received about people being lured to convert at such healing meetings, he added.

Sharma said one case was lodged in 2020, seven in 2021, three in 2022, zero in 2023, 12 in 2024 and four cases so far in 2025.

Terming the issues as serious, Chandrasekhar said Sai has recently spoken about the inspection of NGOs receiving foreign funds in the state to ensure such aid is not being used in illegal activities, including religious conversion.

Chandrakar asked whether the government will bring new provisions or laws to curb illegal religious conversion. In response, Sharma said the state government is serious about curbing such incidents.

"Though the Chhattisgarh Freedom of Religion Act is in force, the government is thinking that new legal provisions should come into force. New provisions will be introduced at an appropriate time," Sharma added.

Talking to reporters on the assembly premises, Sharma said the police have been working with seriousness to curb illegal conversion. "Presently, action is being taken under the old provisions. The government is considering the need for new provisions. We will soon bring the new law. A stringent law will be enacted soon to curb illegal religious conversion," he asserted.

Chandrakar further sought details of NGOs receiving foreign funds with pending cases against them.

Sharma said the NGOs that receive foreign funds are registered under Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA), with the Union Home Ministry overseeing such receipt of foreign funds. Earlier, there were 364 NGOs in the state receiving foreign funds, he added.

The FCRA was amended in 2020, and later 84 such NGOs were banned, while the validity of 127 others expired suo moto, he said. "At present, 153 NGOs receiving foreign funds are operational in the state. As per the procedure, the Ministry of Home Affairs is informed if the state receives any complaint of NGOs indulging in illegal activities so that further action can be taken," Sharma said.

The Chhattisgarh government has also decided to carry out an audit of organisations engaged in the health and education sectors, that receive financial aid from the state government in the last three years, he said. The details of which organisation has received how much money and when as well as their financial audit for the last three years will be taken, Sharma added.