Ganta Radha, a 38 years old resident of Annaram village, Manuguru Mandal, Bhadradri Kothagudem, Telangana, has alleged that she and her family were socially boycotted and exiled from their village after refusing to convert to Christianity. She has also accused local church leaders of deceiving her ailing brother into attending a forced religious ritual, which left him in critical condition.
Following her complaint, the police registered a case on 20 February and booked 17 church members under multiple sections of the law. The charges include: Section 4 of the PCRA, Section 296(b) and Section 190 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).
According to the FIR, church leaders held a meeting on 16 February and passed a resolution to excommunicate Radha’s family, leading to a series of targeted harassments.
Speaking exclusively to Organiser Weekly, Radha described how her opposition to anti-Hindu rhetoric at church gatherings turned her into a target.
“During church meetings, they would insult Hindu gods, calling Lord Ram names like ‘Ramudu… Dunnapotu…’ (Ram, the buffalo). They deliberately raised the volume of their sound systems late at night to disturb Hindu families. When I questioned this, they turned against me and my family.”
She further alleged that in retaliation, local church leaders passed a resolution to socially boycott her family, making their lives miserable.
She belongs to the Scheduled Caste community, and her firm refusal to convert to Christianity appears to be a major concern for the local church leaders.
With the church’s diktat in place, Radha’s family faced severe hardships. Milk vendors refused to sell to them, grocery stores denied them supplies, and even municipal authorities ignored their complaints. The boycott extended beyond essential services, as even their extended family members severed ties under pressure from church leaders.
“We were completely isolated. No one was willing to help us out of fear of the church,” Radha said.
Despite repeated pleas for help, Radha claimed that the police response remained sluggish. The Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) was informed but failed to take immediate action. Although the Sub-Inspector (SI) and constables visited the village and gathered information, they did not intervene to protect her family.
On Monday, the Circle Inspector (CI) conducted an inquiry, where church leaders openly admitted to excommunicating her family. Radha revealed that around 300 people from 76 SC Mala families were forced to participate in this boycott.
Yet, despite the gravity of the situation, she alleges that police action remained limited, raising concerns about administrative apathy.
The family’s ordeal escalated when Radha’s ill brother was taken to the church under the pretext of miracle prayers to cure his long-standing illness. However, once inside, church members allegedly forced him to drink alcohol, claiming it was part of a religious ritual.
“They assured him that their prayers would heal him. But instead, they forced him to drink liquor, calling it a holy offering. Within hours, he started vomiting blood.”
Radha and her family rushed him to the hospital and immediately lodged a police complaint, but there was no immediate response. By the time medical help was secured, his condition had worsened drastically.
Radha has alleged that the harassment continues even after the case was filed. She stated that Christian auto drivers in the village have refused to transport her family, further isolating them. Neighbours and acquaintances fear visiting their home due to church pressure, and even after the FIR was registered, there are concerns that police action will be diluted.
“We need justice. We need protection from this intimidation,” she urged.
Radha, a devoted follower of Bhagwan Ram, actively practices Hindu rituals at home and regularly participates in religious activities. She has even constructed a small temple in her village, serving as a place of worship for the local Hindu community. In addition, she has been a strong supporter of Hindu marriages for underprivileged families, offering assistance to those in need.
Meanwhile, the Legal Rights Protection Forum (LRPF) has escalated the matter to the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), urging intervention and legal action in light of the religious persecution and social boycott faced by Radha and her family.
VHP National spokesperson Dr. Shashidhar, upon learning about the incident, stated, “The history of the Church is marked by intolerance towards non-Christians. This case exposes the contradiction and falsehood behind their claims of inclusivity. We demand the government to take strict action and ensure the culprits are punished.”
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