The state’s zero-tolerance approach towards illegal religious conversions and unlawful constructions came into sharp focus when the administration demolished the illegally constructed first floor of the house belonging to Jabbar Khan, an accused in a conversion case, in Sehore’s Chandakpuri area. The bulldozer action followed a municipal notice that had been issued earlier, with the demolition carried out after the deadline for compliance expired.
The case dates back to August 18, when Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) and Bajrang Dal raided a residence in Chandakpuri after receiving information about a suspected conversion drive. Inside the house, they found a prayer meeting in progress, with several attendees present. Reports state that books related to Christianity, including Bibles and evangelical literature, were also recovered from the site.
The confrontation quickly escalated, with a heated altercation breaking out between the local residents and the Hindu organisations. Acting on the information and subsequent complaints, the Kotwali police station registered a case of religious conversion against Jabbar Khan and his wife Tahira under the stringent provisions of the Madhya Pradesh Religious Freedom Act, 2021.
What shocked authorities further was the revelation that a serving policeman was also present at the controversial gathering. He was immediately suspended pending further inquiry, raising serious questions about the possible complicity or negligence of law enforcement in cases of alleged conversion activity.
Following the registration of the case, Jabbar Khan was arrested, while proceedings against his wife Tahira are underway. The local municipality soon identified that a part of Khan’s house specifically the first floor had been constructed illegally. After serving a formal notice and receiving no corrective action from the accused, officials, accompanied by police security and activists from Bajrang Dal, moved in with bulldozers to raze the unauthorised structure.
Eyewitnesses reported heavy sloganeering at the site, with Bajrang Dal workers chanting in support of the demolition and calling for stricter action against religious conversion networks in the state. The atmosphere remained charged as law enforcement ensured that the demolition drive went ahead without major disruption.
