Bhubaneswar: In a significant development, authorities in Odisha’s Kendujhar district have sealed a house constructed under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY) on government land after it was converted into a church and used for religious conversion activities. This incident, which occurred in Balabhadrapur village under Champua block, has raised widespread concerns regarding the misuse of welfare schemes and threats to communal harmony in the tribal-dominated region.
According to official sources, the house was allotted under PMAY in the name of Jemamani Munda, wife of local resident Makru Munda, on government land (Khata No. 64, Plot No. 413). The structure was transformed into a makeshift church, with the signage of the housing scheme allegedly erased and replaced with the word “Church.”
Every Sunday, external Christian preachers would gather in the building to conduct prayer meetings and propagate their faith. Local villagers allege that during these sessions, attempts were made to lure or induce members of the indigenous Hindu tribal community into conversion.
Rising Tensions in the Village
The activities soon became a flashpoint for tension. Residents of Balabhadrapur claim that such gatherings disrupted the peace of the village and posed a threat to the existing social fabric. Several times, villagers lodged protests and demanded strict intervention from the authorities.
Clashes between locals and preachers have occurred on multiple occasions. Police intervention was required earlier this year to pacify both groups when a heated confrontation escalated. The most recent conflict reached the local police station, prompting the administration to take decisive action.
Administrative Crackdown
Acting under Case No. 409/2025, Champua Tehsildar Sajat Marke, Police Inspector-in-Charge Ramakant Muduli, and Additional Tehsildar Pratiksha Priyadarshini jointly conducted a sealing operation. The house was locked with heavy iron chains, and access was formally prohibited. Officials confirmed that the property cannot be used for any unauthorized purpose henceforth.
Authorities have assured that the situation in the area is being closely monitored to prevent further unrest.
This controversy is not new. In June this year, Organiser published a report highlighting illegal conversion activities being conducted at the same location. At that time, protests by villagers triggered tensions, leading to police deployment to maintain order.
Illegal Conversion in Odisha: PMAY house built on Govt land converted into Church in Keonjhar District
By: @SamanwayaNanda#PMAY #Church #Keonjhar https://t.co/k7kSaUbL6Y
— Organiser Weekly (@eOrganiser) June 11, 2025
Locals alleged that the government-funded PMAY information board outside the house had been removed and replaced with “Church.” Prayer meetings and sermons subsequently became a regular feature, fueling anger and resentment among the indigenous population.
Residents of Balabhadrapur claim that repeated appeals to the authorities went unheeded until matters spiraled out of control. According to them, the administration’s inaction emboldened those engaged in the activities.
“Government resources are being misused for illegal religious purposes. If timely action had been taken, this situation would not have escalated to such an extent,” said one villager, demanding strict punishment for those behind the conversions.
Hindu Organisation Reacts Strongly
The incident has drawn strong reactions from Hindu organizations. Odisha state secretary of the Hindu Jagran Manch, Tanmay Dash, condemned the misuse of a government welfare scheme for conversion activities.
“This case is extremely serious. A house built with government funds on government land under the PMAY was being used as a church for conversion. Sealing the building is a welcome step, but it is not enough,” Dash said in a statement.
He demanded stringent action not only against the beneficiaries but also against the external missionaries who frequented the village, as well as any officials who may have overlooked or enabled the misuse.
“These people are violating the law, disrupting social harmony, and spreading enmity among communities. The administration must exercise firm control over such illegal elements,” Dash added.
Call for Strict Enforcement of Anti-Conversion Law
Dash further pointed out that Odisha already has legislation in place to curb forced or fraudulent conversions — the Odisha Freedom of Religion Act. However, he alleged that the law is rarely enforced, allowing missionary groups funded from abroad to operate unchecked.
“It is unfortunate that despite having a legal framework, the authorities fail to act. Missionaries, supported by foreign funds, are converting innocent tribals without any restriction. The government must strictly implement the Freedom of Religion Act across the state,” Dash asserted.
A Larger Question of Misuse of Welfare Schemes
The Balabhadrapur incident has raised significant concerns about the misuse of government schemes. The Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY), a flagship initiative designed to provide housing for the poor, was never intended to be a platform for religious activities.
Observers highlight that this controversy emphasizes the urgent need for monitoring mechanisms to ensure that welfare benefits are not diverted for purposes that could undermine social harmony.
Currently, the Champua administration has sealed the building and prohibited any further use of the premises. Police officials remain vigilant in the village to prevent the recurrence of clashes.
Locals are adamant that those responsible for the alleged conversions should face strict legal consequences. Many fear that if such incidents go unchecked, they could spark unrest in other tribal areas of Odisha.
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