Raipur: A row erupted over programs organsied at two separate churches in Chhattisgarh’s Mohla on Sunday, March 2. According to the reports, a special ceremony was called at one of the Churches in ward no 7 while a prayer meeting was called in another church in ward no 16.
The news of the gatherings however reached to a few Hindu activists of the area who soon started protest at the said localities, demanding immediate withdrawal of the people involved in organsing the events.
A significant number of people from remote localities are reportedly invited into the events, raising speculation over a plot of conversion as alleged by the activists.
Learning about the protest, a police team also reached the spot and tried calming the protestors, though the activists continued with the sloganeering, demanding immediate shut down of the program.
The protest continued for around two hours after which the organisers decided to conclude the program. The authorities then safely evacuated all the attendees and subsequently sent them to their desired locations.
Similar scenes were witnessed in another church in ward no 16 where the organisers have called a prayer meeting. Here the activists alleged that people from the tribal community have been invited and are being lured into changing their religion.
The activists further claimed that one of the churches is being operated illegally and action should be taken against those who found to be involved in promoting illegal conversion. The authorities have assured investigation into the allegations and the matter is currently being investigated.
It is worth mentioning here that illegal conversion through the means of lure has been one of the key issues in the state since always. The issue has long been at the forefront of scuffles between the Hindu activists and those promoting conversion.
It’s been alleged that illegal conversion is being systematically promoted in the tribal dominated areas and funds for such activities are also being channelized through clandestine means.
Recently, the state government instructed to investigate the financial transactions of all the Non-Government Organisations of the state who are receiving funds through FCRA.
Notably out of the total 153 FCRA registered NGOs operating in the state, 50 have declared their association with the Christian community.
