Christians Concerned As Bihar Weighs Anti-Conversion Law

by Stefan J. Bos, Worthy News Chief International Correspondent

NEW DELHI (Worthy News) – Christians in India voiced concern after lawmakers in the northern state of Bihar suggested introducing an anti-conversion law similar to legislation adopted in several other states.

Several lawmakers urged the state government to adopt such legislation, already enacted in states like Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and Gujarat.

The issue surfaced during a debate in the state legislative assembly when Speaker Prem Kumar addressed a “Calling Attention Motion” submitted by 18 legislators from the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA), according to Christian rights watchdog International Christian Concern (ICC).

The NDA includes the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) led nationally by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

LAWMAKERS CALL FOR LEGISLATION

Legislators argued that demographic changes in parts of Bihar justified the introduction of an anti-conversion law.

One lawmaker, Mithilesh Tiwari, claimed that more than 1,000 Dalit families in Buxar district had converted to Christianity.

Other politicians also alleged that Christian growth in the region was linked to “inducements,” a claim frequently raised by supporters of anti-conversion laws.

Christian advocates warn that such legislation could be used to target pastors and believers.

GOVERNMENT REVIEW POSSIBLE

Bihar Tourism and Arts and Culture Minister Arun Shankar Prasad clarified that the state government currently has no formal proposal to introduce an anti-conversion law.

However, Speaker Kumar indicated that authorities may review similar legislation adopted elsewhere in India.

“If required, the same law will be implemented in this state as well,” he told lawmakers during the assembly debate.

Another legislator, Alok Mehta, strongly opposed the proposal, arguing that the issue was being unnecessarily raised after the government had already clarified that no such law was planned.

BROADER CONCERNS FOR CHRISTIANS

The debate comes amid broader concerns about the situation of minority Christians in India, where advocacy groups report rising pressure and violence against believers in several regions.

India has an estimated 28–30 million Christians, representing about 2.3 percent of the population, many belonging to historically marginalized communities.

Advocacy group Open Doors ranks India 11th on its World Watch List of countries where Christians face the most severe persecution.

Christian leaders warn that anti-conversion laws, officially intended to prevent forced religious conversions, are often used to detain pastors, disrupt church gatherings, and intimidate believers.

PRESSURE MAY INCREASE

If Bihar adopts such legislation, it would become the 13th Indian state to enact an anti-conversion law.

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar previously said there was “no need for any anti-conversion law” in the state, noting that communities of different religions had historically lived there peacefully.

However, Christian advocates caution that renewed debate over anti-conversion legislation could increase pressure on believers in Bihar and other parts of India where pastors and converts have already faced arrests, intimidation, and violence.

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