The arrest of the Pastor Chinta David Rajareddy in Andhra Pradesh, on charges of forcible conversions, harassment, and extortion on November 11 has drawn significant attention, particularly in a state where Christian conversions are not uncommon. An FIR has been registered against him by Bikkavol police on 3rd November 2024 under sections 130 (Extortion), 292 (Obscene publication or exhibition), 351 (Assault or criminal force with intent to injure) and 308(6) (Criminal intimidation and threats) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. A closer look at the complaint against him reveals the disturbing nature of his actions, which highlight a much broader issue. This case serves as a stark reminder that religious conversion is not just a personal matter or a matter of personal faith, but also a serious social and national security concern.
Targeting non-Christian villages:
Pastor David Rajareddy of the Indian Pentecostal Church targeted the Hindu majority Balabhadrapuram village for his proselytizing activities. As per strategy, he formed a Christian organisation ‘Anitara Sadhyadu Spiritual and Social Ministries Society’ and he built a church without any permits in the middle of the residential area. Gradually, he started converting the Hindus into Christianity in various ways. Balabhadrapuram is a village in Biccavolu mandal of East Godavari district.
Missionaries funding for Conversions:
Nakka Srinivas, in complaint filed with police narrated that Pastor David Rajareddy is continuously harassing to change his faith, when orally confronted pastor blamed his missionaries for setting target of converting at least twenty Hindus to Christianity per month. Moreover, if the family living opposite the church was not converted, it would be considered an insult to him as well as the missionaries.
Pastor’s diabolical action for conversion:
It will be shocking to learn from the complaint on what the pastor did because the victim refused to accept Christianity. When Srinivas resisted to convert, the pastor escalated his tactics. Rajareddy reportedly began amplifying the sound of the loudspeakers at the church to disturb Srinivas, who lived nearby. In addition, the pastor began parking churchgoers’ vehicles in front of Srinivas’s house, creating further nuisance. In many places we see pastors taking pleasure in disturbing others through loudspeakers.
Extortion and Threats:
Pastor David Rajareddy demanded Rs 1 lakh from the victim as a donation to the church, which he had built illegally. When Srinivas refused, the pastor threatened to file false SC/ST cases against him and have him evicted from the area. Fearing further retaliation, Srinivas paid Rs 17,000, hoping it would resolve the issue, but the pastor’s demands continued. The victim clarified in his complaint that the pastor also threatened to remove him from the street if he didn’t pay the demanded money. The victim, having paid the pastor seventeen thousand rupees, thought he would be left in peace. However, the pastor’s thirst for money remained unsatisfied.
Disruption in families:
Pastor David Rajareddy’s actions also affected the victim’s family. When Srinivas couldn’t provide the money demanded, the pastor advised him to convert his family members to Christianity. When the victim refused, the pastor targeted his newly married wife. He allegedly manipulated the victim’s wife, ultimately leading to the breakdown of their marriage. The victim’s first wife divorced him after falling for the pastor’s words. After some time, Srinivas remarried and brought his new wife home. However, the pastor continued to trouble the family, reportedly attempting to influence his second wife as well.
While previous incidents have involved pastors arrested for sexual harassment or financial misconduct, this case appears to be the first in Andhra Pradesh where a pastor has been arrested for forced conversion and extortion. It sheds light on the dangerous tactics some religious figures may use to impose their beliefs, raising critical questions about the unchecked influence of such individuals
Pastor Chinta David Rajareddy’s arrest highlights the darker side of religious conversion efforts and serves as a cautionary tale of how such practices can devolve into harassment, coercion, and criminal activity. The case underscores the need for vigilant law enforcement, ethical conduct by religious figures, and the protection of vulnerable individuals from exploitation in the name of faith. As investigations continue, it is important for the public and policymakers to engage in a broader discussion about the methods used for religious conversions and the potential for harm when these activities are unchecked.
This episode raises serious questions about the true motives of missionaries in Andhra Pradesh and echoes a troubling legacy that dates back to the British colonial period. Unchecked Christian proselytisation persists, often cloaked in the guise of “compassion,” but using tactics that are designed to destabilise Hindus. Missionaries routinely exploit all socio-economic vulnerabilities—offering money, healthcare benefits, or exploiting any new hardship they find. Those who resist are met with legal threats and relentless pressure, pushing individuals toward conversion through coercion.
These manufactured conversions are then amplified by a vast Christian network, creating a powerful, often misleading narrative aimed at pressuring others and projecting Hindutva as oppressive. This campaign goes further by painting a negative picture of Hindus on the global stage, where missionaries—despite their aggressive tactics—present themselves as victims. There are active lobbies in the US demanding that Bharat be declared a “Country of Concern” and subjected to economic sanctions. While operating with the precision and power of a well-funded network, they hide behind claims of “persecution” to deflect criticism and avoid scrutiny. This cycle of coercion and victim-playing is standard operation tactics of Christians; it’s an orchestrated effort that calls into question the integrity and loyalty of these evangelical operations in India.
The Joshua Project, targeting all non-Christians, along with several evangelists promising to plant thousands of churches with the aim of converting Bharat into a Christian nation, and its supporting NGO network, which is becoming a force that could fragment India, poses a real threat.
The author is a president of Legal Rights Protection Forum (LRPF).
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