In yet another attempt of conversion near Alandi in Pune District, police filed offences against 14 people on January 15, 2023, for hurting religious sentiments. Suspects were appealing to residents of Markal village to join Christianity but their attempt did not materialise due to alert citizens.
Prasad Bhausaheb Salunkhe, a 25-year-old youth, has filed a complaint with Alandi police station, following which an offence was registered against a group of people. They included three women and a minor girl.
According to the complaint, a group of people were approaching residents of Markal village, 25 km away from Pune. They were going house to house, asking them if they were going to church or reading the Bible. They were also promising people that they would extend financial assistance to them if they joined Christianity.
Prasad Salunkhe noticed this and approached the police with the help of local Hindu organisations. Police later filed charges against 14 people, who are the residents of Bhosari, a suburb of industrial neighbouring Pimpri- Chinchwad.
This is the second incident of a conversion attempt near the holy town of Alandi. Markal village is situated ten km away from Alandi. This is the second incident in the recent past in which Christian community members were found misleading the people.
In January’s first week, an attempt of converting a poor Hindu family to Christianity was made at Alando but was foiled by alert citizens. A video went viral showing a woman asking a group of people to pray. She is seen holding a holy book in her hand. A young man is seen in the video, objecting to distributing the ‘blood of Jesus Christ’, which is served in a plastic glass. Uddhav Nagnath Kambale (48), a resident of Alandi had filed a complaint in this connection.
Hindu organisations had taken out a march in Alandi to draw the attention of the government authorities towards an attempt of illegal conversion. They are now demanding a detailed investigation into incidents of conversion and stern action against those involved.
Meanwhile, NCP MLA and Leader of Opposition Ajit Pawar has written to deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis demanding action against atrocities on the Christian community.
