'Conversion By Inducement A Social Menace': Chhattisgarh High Court Upholds Hoardings Barring Entry Of Pastors, Converts In Tribal Villages

Expressing concern at certain missionary groups accused of religious conversion especially in remote tribal areas in Chhattisgarh, allegedly targeting illiterate and impoverished families, the Chhattisgarh High Court remarked that "conversion by inducement" by such groups is a "social menace". In doing so the court observed that this menace arises when conversion ceases to be a matter of personal faith but becomes a result of "inducement, manipulation, or exploitation of vulnerability". The court passed the order while upholding the action of the Gram Sabha in erecting 'hoardings/notice boards' at certain village entry points whereby the entry of Christian Pastors and converted Christians was barred, purportedly to prevent religious conversion of villagers through coercion or inducement.Motivated conversion is against cultural identity of indigenous personsObserving that religious conversion has long been a sensitive issue in India's sociopolitical landscape, a division bench of Chief Justice Ramesh Sinha and Justice Bibhu Datta Guru said:"Among the various forms of conversion, those allegedly carried out by Christian missionaries among poor and illiterate tribal and rural populations have generated particular controversy. While the Constitution guarantees every citizen the freedom to profess, practice, and propagate religion, the misuse of this liberty through coercion, inducement, or deception has become a matter of grave concern. The phenomenon of mass or motivated conversions not only disturbs social harmony but also challenges the cultural identity of indigenous communities. Missionary activity in India dates back to the colonial period, when Christian organizations established schools, hospitals, and welfare institutions"The court said that initially, these efforts were directed at social upliftment, literacy, and health care; however, over time, "some missionary groups" began using these platforms as avenues for proselytization.Induced conversions amounts to cultural coercionIt further said:"Among economically and socially deprived sections, especially Scheduled Tribes and Scheduled Castes, this led to gradual religious conversion under the promise of better livelihoods, education, or equality. What was once seen as service became, in many cases, a subtle instrument of religious expansion. The menace arises when conversion ceases to be a matter of personal faith and becomes a result of inducement, manipulation, or exploitation of vulnerability. In remote tribal belts, missionaries are often accused of targeting illiterate and impoverished families, offering them monetary aid, free education, medical care, or employment in exchange for conversion. Such practices distort the spirit of voluntary faith and amount to cultural coercion. This process has also led to deep social divisions within tribal communities. Tribals converted to Christianity often adopt new cultural practices, distancing themselves from traditional rituals and communal festivals. As a result, villages become polarized, leading to tension, social boycotts, and sometimes even violent clashes".Conversion by inducement social menaceThe court said that Article 25 of the Constitution ensures the freedom of religion, but this right is not absolute. It referred to various states which had enacted anti conversion laws to prevent the misuse of this right. "The challenge lies in balancing religious freedom with the protection of cultural and social integrity. For many tribal groups, religion is intertwined with their ancestral traditions and ecological worldview. Conversion disrupts this organic connection. The erosion of tribal faiths often results in the loss of indigenous languages, rituals, and customary laws...Religious conversion, when voluntary and spiritual, is a legitimate exercise of conscience. However, when it becomes a calculated act of exploitation disguised as charity, it undermines both faith and freedom...so-called “conversion by inducement” by certain missionary groups is not merely a religious concern, it is a social menace that threatens the unity and cultural continuity of India's indigenous communities"The court thus said that the remedy lies not in intolerance, but in ensuring that faith remains a matter of conviction, not compulsion.BackgroundA number of Gram Sabhas had fixed certain hoardings disallowing entry of Christian Pastors and converted Christians into such villages coming under the district of Kanker. They proclaimed to be villages covered under the Fifth Schedule of the Constitution where the Panchayat (Extension to Schedule Area) Act, 1996 ('the PESA Act') is applicable.The petitioners,practising Christians, had reasons to believe that erection of such hoardings have been done at the instance of the governmental authorities. Such apprehension stems from a circular issued by the Director, Panchayat on 14.08.2025, which asked Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) of the Zila Panchayats coming...

'Conversion By Inducement A Social Menace': Chhattisgarh High Court Upholds Hoardings Barring Entry Of Pastors, Converts In Tribal Villages

Jyoti Prakash Dutta

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