A shocking case of forced religious conversion has come to light in Ratlam’s Shivnagar area, where tribals were reportedly pressured to adopt Christianity under the pretext of being healed from illness. Police have arrested four individuals in connection with the case after a local resident, Kailash Ninama, filed a formal complaint accusing them of coercion and manipulation in the name of “faith healing.”
According to police reports, the accused, identified as Vikram Ninama, his brother Jagdish Ninama, Mangilal Ninama, and Guddu alias Gudda Maida, were conducting weekly “healing prayers” every Friday at Vikram’s residence. During these gatherings, participants were reportedly urged to pray before “Lord Jesus” to be cured of their ailments and were allegedly pressured to embrace Christianity for permanent relief.
The controversy erupted on September 5, when local Hindu organisations received information that a large number of people, mostly women and tribals, had gathered at a private house in Shivnagar for a suspected mass conversion ritual. Upon visiting the spot, they discovered prayer sessions underway and immediately alerted the police.
The Industrial Area Police reached the location and detained four persons. Following questioning, they were formally arrested and presented before the local court on Sunday evening.
As per police records, main accused Vikram Ninama has been remanded to police custody until September 8, while the other three accused have been sent to judicial custody.
In his complaint, Kailash Ninama, a 34-year-old tribal resident of Viriyakhedi village, narrated how he was gradually drawn into the group. Kailash stated that he first met Jagdish Ninama, a nursing student, at Ratlam Medical College while seeking treatment for a health problem. Jagdish reportedly told him that praying to Jesus could cure his illness.
“He told me that Lord Jesus listens to our prayers and removes all sorrows. He said if I pray regularly and accept Christianity, I will be permanently cured,” Kailash stated in his police report.
A few days later, Jagdish invited him to attend a prayer meeting at his brother Vikram’s house in Shivnagar. On September 5, Kailash visited the location and found several men, women, and children gathered. “They started praying and offered prasad after the prayer. Later, they told me that my illness could only be cured through regular prayers to Jesus and by embracing Christianity,” Kailash added.
He further alleged that the accused were conducting group conversions by blindfolding participants and placing their hands on their heads while reciting Christian prayers.
Station House Officer (SHO) Gayatri Soni confirmed that the accused were conducting religious gatherings without permission and were allegedly influencing people to convert.
“An investigation is underway. Based on the complaint of Kailash Ninama, we have registered an FIR under relevant sections for promoting conversion through inducement and deceit. Four accused have been arrested, and further inquiry is being conducted to identify other individuals involved,” said SHO Soni.
Sub-Inspector D.S. Solanki, who is handling the investigation, stated that the arrests were made after initial evidence and witness statements corroborated the allegations. “We found that these individuals had been holding prayer meetings every Friday, where tribals were persuaded to abandon their native faith and embrace Christianity,” he added.
The incident has triggered widespread outrage among local residents and Hindu organisations, who described it as an attempt to exploit the poor and uneducated tribals in the name of religion. Members of the BJP Minority Front and Hindu Jagran Manch demanded strict action against those involved, accusing them of violating the Madhya Pradesh Freedom of Religion Act.
Local leaders also urged the administration to monitor similar activities in other parts of Ratlam, suspecting a broader network behind the conversion attempts.
This case adds to a growing list of similar incidents reported from tribal-dominated districts of Madhya Pradesh, including Jhabua, Alirajpur, and Dhar, where conversion attempts have been disguised as faith healing, charitable aid, or educational outreach.
Officials say such operations typically target economically weak tribal families, luring them with promises of good health, education, or financial help. The Madhya Pradesh Freedom of Religion (Amendment) Act, 2021 criminalises conversions through allurement, coercion, or fraud, carrying imprisonment of up to 10 years.
As investigations continue, police are verifying whether the accused had links with larger missionary organisations or received foreign funding. Meanwhile, the residents of Shivnagar remain on alert, demanding stronger enforcement of anti-conversion laws.
