More than ten churches in Dhamtari district, Chhattisgarh have posted notices asking non-Christians to enter at their own risk due to concerns of disruption by Hindutva activists. Over 1,000 self-declaration applications from non-Christians were submitted to the district administration following a new law aimed at discouraging religious conversions.
In the past month, more than ten churches in Chhattisgarh’s Dhamtari district have posted notices outside their premises, restricting entry to Christians only for prayers. The Indian Express reported that one notice stated, 'According to rules, only Christians are allowed to enter this church for prayers.' Another quote from a different church's notice read, 'Worship here is exclusively for Christians; if you are not legally a Christian, you will be held personally responsible.'
Diamond Filus, general secretary of the Dhamtari District Christian Forum, told The Indian Express that these precautionary measures were taken due to fears of disruption by Hindutva activists. He further added that the organization had also asked members of the community to put up similar notices outside their homes where persons gather to pray.
The advice followed more than 1,000 self-declaration applications being submitted to the district administration by non-Christians stating that they were going to the churches voluntarily. The Indian Express quoted an unidentified community leader as saying these applications had irked certain 'right-wing members'. These applications were reportedly submitted after a new law aimed at discouraging religious conversions took effect in the state in August.
Filus alleged that since the Bharatiya Janata Party returned to power in the state in 2023, Hindutva activists have been given a free hand and have disrupted prayer meetings.
Source:
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