Mandya: An incident of violence stemming from forced religious conversion has unfolded in Srirangapatna, involving a man who allegedly fatally attacked his wife and mother-in-law after they refused to convert to Christianity. The perpetrator, identified as Srikanth, stands accused of attacking his wife, Lakshmi, and her mother, Shruti, with a rod after months of coercion and harassment relating to their religious beliefs.
Reports indicate that Srikanth, who converted to Christianity four years ago, has been pressuring both Lakshmi and Shruti to follow suit. The couple, who have been married for 15 years, reportedly engaged in frequent disputes over this contentious issue of forced conversion, contributing to an increasingly toxic household environment. Just three days prior to the violent incident, a distraught Lakshmi had penned a death note and attempted suicide, highlighting the severe emotional toll her husband’s actions had taken on her.
On April 12, tensions escalated when Srikanth and several family members allegedly assaulted Lakshmi and Shruti, striking them on the head with deadly weapons in an effort to force a resolution regarding the conversion issue. The injured parties were subsequently rushed to Srirangapatna Taluk Hospital for treatment. Acting on a complaint related to forced conversion filed by Lakshmi’s brother, Ravikiran, the local police have registered a First Information Report (FIR) against Srikanth and nine other individuals involved in the attack.
The alarming case raises broader concerns about a disturbing pattern of forced conversions occurring in the region. Sources indicate that Srikanth and his associates have been actively converting individuals in Palahalli village for over a decade, employing tactics that exploit the vulnerabilities of community members. Allegations suggest they have built a church and lured converts with monetary incentives, offering significant sums of money—reportedly up to Rs 25 lakhs—to those willing to change their faith.
Residents of Palahalli have voiced their concerns about the ongoing conversions targeting a diverse range of communities, including Vokkaligas, Vishwakarma, and Marathis. Many villagers claim that the religious conversions are taking place in a climate of coercion, where individuals in dire circumstances are promised financial assistance to facilitate their conversion.
Lakshmi’s mother, Shruti, disclosed that the family has faced constant harassment, being pressured to comply with conversion demands. “When we did not agree to convert, they called me to the Raji Panchayat and attacked me and my daughter,” she recounted, emphasizing the fear and intimidation that have become commonplace in their lives.
Lakshmi herself expressed her dismay at the situation, stating that many families in their community publicly identify as Hindu in order to access government benefits and facilities, yet have mentally converted to Christianity. She lamented the dual identity crisis, noting that while official documents such as ration cards and Aadhaar cards bear Hindu names, in social contexts, many individuals adopt Christian identities.
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