Converted tribals to lose welfare benefits in Chhattisgarh, strict law expected in winter session

The Chhattisgarh government is preparing to exclude individuals from the Scheduled Tribes (ST) who have converted to another religion from availing themselves of government welfare schemes, a provision currently applicable only to the Scheduled Castes (SC).

Under the proposed amendment, converted tribals who have been receiving dual benefits— ST reservation and minority welfare schemes, will lose access to both. In a move set to trigger fresh political and social debate, the ruling BJP says the step is essential to stop “dual entitlements,” while the Opposition has denounced it as politically motivated.

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Currently applicable only to the Scheduled Castes (SC), the provision will now cover converted tribals, effectively cutting them off from both ST reservation and minority welfare schemes.

Deputy Chief Minister and Law Minister Arun Sao said the existing law would be made “more effective and comprehensive” with inputs from legal experts, and that a proposal would be sent to the Centre for necessary national-level changes.

Over the past two years, over hundred cases of conversion have been recorded in the state, with 44 resulting in FIRs. The government intends to replace the Chhattisgarh Dharma Swatantrata Adhiniyam, 1968, with tougher legislation expanding the definitions of inducement and forced conversion, requiring 60 days’ advance notice to district authorities, and imposing prison terms of up to 10 years for unreported conversions.

The plan revives an unimplemented law from the year 2006, introduced during the BJP government under then Chief Minister Dr. Raman Singh, which prescribed a two year jail term and a ₹10,000 fine for forced conversions of women, minors, Dalits, and tribals. Former Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel has urged the BJP to enforce the earlier provision instead of “politicising” the issue. In sharp contrast, Arvind Netam, patron of the Sarva Adivasi Samaj, hailed the proposal as “critical for safeguarding tribal culture and traditions.”