Two distinct but equally volatile incidents have triggered public outrage in Madhya Pradesh’s Jabalpur district, evoking scathing political responses and triggering mass calls for justice and accountability.
In a shocking incident from the Crusher Basti region which falls under Tilwara police station jurisdiction, a homeopathy physician named Dr. Khalid Khan was arrested on the charge of attempting to forcibly convert a minor girl on the pretext of treatment. Khan, who is booked by the police officials, was treating the minor girl for an old illness when he, it is alleged, started persuading her to accept Islam by providing her with “miraculous faith healing” and other worldly rewards.
The issue was discovered when the parents of the girl observed extreme changes in her attitude and approached local Hindu groups, who subsequently lodged a complaint. A huge crowd of activists appeared outside the police station, calling for the arrest of Dr. Khan immediately on the grounds that she was operating a large-scale conversion racket in the region.
Suryakant Sharma, Additional Superintendent of Police, confirmed the arrest and said, “Dr. Khalid Khan has been detained. He has allegedly induced a minor to change his religion through religious conversion. We are examining all aspects, including if any others are involved.”
A First Information Report (FIR) in this case was registered on April 2, and the accused was booked under sections 3 and 5 of the Madhya Pradesh Freedom of Religion Act has been filed and statements from locals are being taken as part of the investigation underway.
In the meanwhile, another controversy ensued when Sikandar Ali, a local Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) leader, issued a contentious message on Facebook saying, “Jai Bhim, Jai Bharat, Jai Pakistan”. The post that followed a BSP membership campaign provoked severe criticism from Hindu organisations, mainly the Bajrang Dal, charging Ali with propagating anti-national feelings.
Ali, a local resident of the Hanumantal area, was arrested after members of Bajrang Dal lodged a complaint on April 3. He was booked under Section 197 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), which deals with acts against national integrity. His post has raised political controversies and calls for strict action. A First Information Report (FIR Number: 237/25) was registered in the matter.
As per police, the investigation is underway, and the next legal action will be based on the outcome of the inquiry. Ali, who is also a registered political candidate and is known to be an auto driver, has contested elections in the past.
These developments come in tandem with Chief Minister Mohan Yadav’s recent International Women’s Day announcement. He announced proposals to modify the Madhya Pradesh Freedom of Religion Act to include the death penalty for individuals who are convicted of forcibly converting minor girls, in line with the punishment for rape of minors. CM Yadav stressed the administration’s determination to safeguard daughters and take firm action against such crimes.
Growing Communal Tensions?
Both the incidents have fueled growing communal tensions in Jabalpur, with political parties and social organisations appealing for peace but also insisting on transparent probes. Security has been beefed up in sensitive locations, and police patrols have been stepped up to avoid any untoward incident.
