New anti-conversion laws have caused eight churches in Dhamtari city in Chhattisgarh state in India, to restrict non-Christians from attending by warning them they enter at their own risk. “In banners displayed outside their premises, the churches said people from other faiths who enter voluntarily would be responsible for their own actions,” India Today reports
“The move, which the Christian community said was taken as a precaution for the safety of its members, comes months after a new anti-conversion law came into effect in the state.
“Under the law, those found guilty of illegal religious conversion can face imprisonment of seven to 10 years and a fine of up to Rs 5 lakh [$7,417]. In cases involving mass conversion, the punishment ranges from 10 years to life imprisonment, along with a fine of up to Rs 25 lakh [$A37,033].”
Thw Wire.in posted two examples of church notices banning non-Christians: “The Sunderganj Mennonite Church in Dhamtari, Chhattisgarh, has put up boards warning non-Christians of the voluntary risk involved in entering the church’s premises as a “precautionary measure,” shortly after the statewide enactment of the anti-conversion Chhattisgarh Freedom of Religion Act, 2026. One sign, written in Hindi, reads: “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.”
“Diamond Philus, general secretary of the Dhamtari District Christian Forum, told the Hindu that the boards, similar iterations of which have been installed outside churches in the city, have been erected “primarily as a precautionary measure to avoid action under the Chhattisgarh Freedom of Religion Act, 2026.” The law, according to representatives of the BJP state government, aims to curb religious conversions, mandating a 60-day notice to the district administration by anyone seeking to change their religion.”
Philus told the Press Trust of India that the decision to put up the banners was taken earlier this month. However, it was implemented after a September 15 meeting at the district Collectorate involving representatives of Hindu organisations, the Sarva Adivasi Samaj and the Christian Forum.
He claimed representatives of Hindu organisations raised the issue of non-Christians visiting churches and demanded that people who had not converted should not be allowed to enter.
He alleged that previous incidents in which activists had created disturbances during Christian prayer meetings over allegations of religious conversion had prompted the community to take precautionary measures.
One thousand people have lodged “self declartion forms” under the new conversion law – which meant that they had already become Christians. To counter legal penalties under the strict anti-conversion framework (which can range up to life imprisonment for unauthorised mass conversions), christian groups use “voluntary attendance” declarations.
Image: Sunderganj Mennonite Church. Image credit: the church Facebook page