Missionary conversion in TN Govt Hospital: BJP leader asks, “They’re struggling for life, you want to convert them?”

In a recent incident in Tamil Nadu, missionaries were seen openly carrying Bibles in their shoulder bags and approaching vulnerable individuals at the government hospital (GH) in Kumbakonam, attempting to convert them to Christianity. This proselytising activity occurred despite a sign at the hospital clearly stating, “No proselytising should be done here.”

Frustrated by the missionaries’ attempts to spread the message of Jesus Christ, patients at the hospital contacted Paramaguru, the Thanjavur North District BJP Secretary. He confronted the missionaries, issued a stern warning, and ultimately drove them away.

The confrontation was recorded on camera and shared by the Thanjavur North District BJP on social media. Here is the transcript of the exchange:

Paramaguru: Bargur? Where is Bargur? Is it in Andhra?

Man from Church: No, Marungur.

Paramaguru: Oh, you are from Marungur Church. Who asked you to come here from Marungur Church? Who sent you?

Man from Church: I came by myself.

Paramaguru: Oh, you are coming by yourself. Who asked you to come here from there?

Man from Church: No, we come here to do service.

Paramaguru: What do you mean by service? Will you recruit, or will you give money? Come let’s give together.

Man from Church: We come here to pray.

Paramaguru: Pray means, what will you do?

Man from Church: Everyone to be healthy.

Paramaguru: Do we all stand to not get well then? Are you the only one who wants wellness? We also stand here to be well. Give your visiting card or ID card. I want to know who you are. If you mix poison in the water and leave, who will we ask?

Man from Church: I won’t do it.

Paramaguru: What’s the surety that you won’t do it? I have a visiting card, do you have one? We should know who you are, right? Why do you do this unwanted job? In which district is Marungur located?

Man from Church: In Nagai District.

Paramaguru: Is everyone in Nagai district fine? Has the amputee, unwell in the Nagai district got up, started to walk and run? Has Corona in the district recovered? Where did you go during the corona period? Mister, what is your name? First, take off your mask. Corona has gone, take off your mask. What’s your name?

Man from Church: Boaz.

Then, Paramaguru, calmly placing his hands on the missionary, said, “You are also my brother. I don’t have a problem with that. We are ready to help with whatever you need, but please stop this deceptive conversion work. Brother, I am speaking to you with empathy. I will not harm or threaten you, but he (the patient) is already suffering, lying down in pain. He is not well. His arms, legs, and nose are gone. If you also sit and torture him for half an hour, adding to his pain, what good does that do? What is your intention here? How did the Kumbakonam GH management allow this within the campus? I warn you; I will sue them.”

Paramaguru further inquired about the person from missionary about his economic situation, asking if he had eaten and offering to buy him food. He responded that he was fasting. When asked about his job, the missionary man said he had no job. Paramaguru questioned how he managed to travel, afford food, and who supported him financially. When asked about his business at the hospital, the missionary man replied that he came to pray.

Frustrated, Paramaguru told the man that he looked pathetic but expressed anger towards the church missionaries driving him. “Either you free yourself from the missionaries, or we will free you from them,” he said.

The relatives of the patients complained that the man from missionary was violating the hospital’s policy against conversion. Paramaguru then asked to see what was in his bag, finding Bibles inside. Annoyed, he asked, “Don’t you have any shame? These people are struggling for their lives, and you want to convert them here?”

Finally, Paramaguru warned the man that having personal faith is an individual choice, but forcing conversions through deceit is wrong and will face dire consequences.

“If you come next time, I will take you to the police station. You should never come this way again. Get lost from the GH,” he said.

While the Constitution guarantees freedom of religion, it is unlawful to forcefully convert people either through coercion or enticement. But still, cases like these loom every now and then. Organiser compiled a list of tactics used by the Missionaries to convert people in ‘The Train Story.’

Some of these tactics include Grooming by texts and pamphlets, The idea of heaven and hell, Missionary services like schools and hospitals, organising prayers and meetings in tribal belts, Drawing similarities between Christianity and Hinduism, Enticement, Miraculous activities among many.