Bhubaneswar – A recent attempt to convert members of the tribal community to Christianity was reported in the Bhogarai block of Odisha’s Balasore district, near the Odisha–West Bengal border. Tensions escalated when local villagers became aware of the activities of Christian missionaries in the area. After reporting these actions to the police, three Christian preachers were detained and are currently being questioned regarding this unlawful activity.
Reports indicate that three individuals, identified as Dhananjay Kisku from Anikula village in the Dantan police jurisdiction of Paschim Medinipur district, Purushottam Rana, and Chandra Badili from Dattapur in East Medinipur district, West Bengal, arrived in Kirtaniya village, Bhogarai. They reportedly travelled by e-rickshaw with a group of more than 20 individuals, allegedly to visit the home of a tribal villager named Kuar Murmu. Upon arrival, the preachers reportedly attempted to persuade the family to convert to Christianity. The missionaries allegedly claimed that abandoning Hinduism would alleviate their suffering and illnesses, promising a better life if they embraced Christianity.
Local villagers, alerted to the missionaries’ activities, soon gathered at Murmu’s residence. They began questioning the preachers and their companions about their intentions. Sensing a serious violation of local anti-conversion laws, the villagers promptly informed the police. Law enforcement arrived on the scene and took the three primary Christian missionaries into custody, initiating a formal investigation to gather details about the alleged conversion efforts.
During preliminary questioning, Dhananjay Kisku reportedly claimed that he had previously facilitated the conversion of over 30 families in Dattapur village. This admission further heightened community concerns over what they perceive as a concerted push to convert vulnerable tribal populations.
The Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) has demanded strict action against illegal conversion activities in the area. Gouri Prasad Rath, Zonal Saha Mantri of the VHP, stated that laws to prevent unlawful conversions already exist in Odisha, yet lamented their insufficient enforcement. Rath emphasised that many people in the tribal community remain susceptible to such activities, partly due to their isolation and lack of information. He urged the government and law enforcement agencies to enforce anti-conversion regulations rigorously to protect Odisha’s vulnerable tribal communities.
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