RAIPUR: In yet another incident reflecting ramifications of illegal conversion through means of lure and false promise, a 70-year-old lady has approached the police citing illegal occupation of her house by members of the Christian community in Durg of Chhattisgarh.
Shyam Bai Yadav, a resident of ward no 54 of Pulgaon police station limits of Durg district in her complaint submitted to the police has alleged that people associated with mission groups are forcibly organising Changai Sabhas (prayer meetings) at her house despite her opposition.
In her complaint letter, the victim lady has claimed that the members of the Christian community have been using her home for the prayer meetings for the last five years and despite her repeated objections they have refused to comply with her request.
She further has alleged that the mission people says that the house was built by them, they have provided materials (bricks, cement, etc.) in the construction, hence they will not vacate it.
The incident came to light after the victim lady approached a few local Hindu activists about the regular meetings at her house after which the activists intervened by arriving on the spot.
Upon receiving the information about the prayer meeting, the activists barged at the scene on Sunday’s morning, November 10 leading to a verbal confrontation between the two groups. A police team too reached the spot and detained a few individuals from the spot including the pastor.
Conversion on pretext of providing medical aid
According to the details, Shyam Bai’s family members converted to Christianity a few years ago when her son was suffering from illness. The family members of the victim were allegedly promised with health benefits upon changing religion. However embracing the other religion too does not proved beneficial for the victim’s son who later died due to the illness.
Meanwhile the mission group continued their prayer meetings at Shyam Bai’s house. They also took signature of the family members for organising such meetings at her place. The victim lady however, asked the group members to stop organising the prayers meetings at her place after some time, though she was informed that the house was erected on the material provided by the group.
The Missionaries have also painted symbols linked with Christianity on the walls of Shyam Bai’s house where they gathered on regular intervals to hold prayer meetings.
Police arrests pastor
Upon receiving the information, the police on Sunday, November 10 detained a number of individuals by arriving on the spot. The development occurred after a heated exchange of words between the local Hindu activists and around a dozen people who were participating in the said meeting.
In one of the video of the said altercation, the Hindu activists could be heard confronting the pastors and his associates about the illegal occupation of Yadav’s house. Following the initial scuffle, the activists resorted to sloganeering, demanding swift action into the matter.
A memorandum seeking action against the accused was also submitted by the members of Bajrang Dal. Later the police reportedly arrested the pastor who was subsequently produced before a court from where he has been sent in custody.
Cases where pastors/other individuals detained/arrested for alleged promotion of conversion
It is pertinent to mention here that cases pertaining to illegal conversion through various illegal means have been keep emerging from separate parts of the tribal-dominated state, underscoring the growing menace of conversion.
Recently a number of pastors/members of mission groups have been detained/ arrested by the police in similar cases of organising prayer meetings, aimed allegedly at promoting illegal conversion.
- As many as 7 people were taken into custody after local activists informed the police about a religious gathering aimed allegedly at luring people for conversion in Mitthumuda area under Jutmal police station limits of Raigarh on November 3.
- In another case reported from Raigarh itself, police detained an individual from Darogapara area on October 14. The said individual was allegedly luring the local residents for conversion when he was caught up red handed.
- A pastor identified as Rakesh Nirmalkar was detained by authorities on September 1 from Manki village under Arjunda police station limits following a verbal confrontation between the local Hindus and people associated with Rakesh over organising prayer meetings at separate place in Balod district.
- On August 12, Balrampur police apprehended a pastor identified as Ranjit Bada for allegedly luring a group of villagers into changing their religion.
