Bhubaneswar: In Odisha’s tribal-dominated Sundargarh district, an alleged conversion attempt through a “prayer meeting” organised by Christian missionaries in Sargidihi village, under Tikayatpali Police Station limits of Bonai block, was foiled following strong opposition from local residents. Acting on the villagers’ protest, the administration stopped the proposed prayer gathering.
When the locals learned that the event was allegedly being held with the intent to facilitate religious conversions, they, along with members of the Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) and Bajrang Dal, submitted a memorandum to the local police and senior district officials. Following this, the administration decided to cancel the programme.
It is noteworthy that Sundargarh district has long been a focal point for missionary activities. A Christian organisation named “Jesus Heavenly Ladder Ministry” had reportedly planned to hold a prayer meeting at Sargidihi village under Tikayatpali Police Station limits in Bonai block. The event was originally scheduled to be held from November 13 to 15. The information triggered strong reactions among the local populace, who expressed their objections to such conversion-oriented programmes. Villagers claimed that the so-called “prayer festival” or “Ashirbad Sabha” was a front for conversion activities targeting poor and illiterate tribal families through false promises and misleading spiritual practices.
The residents had earlier submitted written representations not only to the local police officer but also forwarded a copy to the Sub-Divisional Police Officer (SDPO), the Superintendent of Police (SP), and the Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of the Western Range, urging them to prevent the event.
Allegations of Covert Conversions
In their memorandum to the authorities, the villagers alleged that several individuals linked to the “Jesus Heavenly Ladder Ministry” had been engaging in conversion efforts by making false claims of miraculous healing and divine intervention. The complaint detailed how villagers were told that faith alone, without medical treatment, could cure diseases and bring prosperity.
“It has come to our notice that some individuals, allegedly associated with a Christian missionary group, are visiting remote villages and engaging in persuasive efforts to convert members of the Hindu community to Christianity. They are using so-called “holy water” and making promises to relieve suffering, illness, and poverty if the villagers agree to convert.
Such acts are not only disrespectful to the religious sentiments of the local Hindu population but also raise serious concerns about potential violations of the law under provisions related to forced or fraudulent religious conversions. If left unchecked, these activities may also create communal tension and disrupt public harmony in the area,” the memorandum said.
“It has come to light that the organisers of the said “Ashirbad (Prathina Ustav)” are:
Inducing individuals to convert from Hinduism to Christianity by making false promises of miraculous healing, resolution of personal and financial problems, and better life prospects;
Using so-called “holy water” and ritualistic methods to mislead the public under spiritual pretences,” the memorandum further stated.
Such practices, the memorandum also stated, violate provisions of the Odisha Freedom of Religion Act, 1967, particularly Sections 3 and 4, which prohibit conversion by force, inducement, or fraudulent means.
The villagers further warned that allowing such events could disturb communal harmony and trigger religious tension in the tribal belt, where communities of different faiths have coexisted peacefully for decades.
Local Leaders Condemn the Event
The controversy drew reactions from several local leaders and organisations. Ugresen Kishan, President of the Sundargarh Sarpanch Association, condemned the planned prayer meeting in strong terms. Speaking to the media, Kishan stated that such activities were “an insult to the faith of indigenous communities” and an “attempt to exploit the vulnerability of tribal people under the pretext of religion.”
He noted that similar prayer meetings in the past had reportedly resulted in mass conversions of tribal Hindus to Christianity, often through psychological and emotional manipulation. Kishan urged the district administration to remain vigilant against any such attempts in the future.
Controversy Around the Guest Speaker
Sources revealed that the chief guest expected to attend the Sargidihi prayer event has a controversial background, with several allegations against him. He allegedly promotes anti-scientific beliefs through his YouTube channel, encouraging followers to avoid medicines and ignore doctors’ advice, claiming that “faith alone heals.”
Local activists argued that allowing such an individual to conduct a mass prayer gathering in a tribal area could have dangerous consequences, especially for rural populations with limited access to modern healthcare.
Villagers’ Protest and Police Action
Following the complaint, the police conducted a preliminary inquiry and visited the proposed venue. The administration carried out on-site verification. Finding substantial evidence of a possible violation of religious freedom laws and public order concerns, the authorities decided to withhold permission for the “Jesus Heavenly Ladder Ministry” event.
A senior police official from Tikayatpali stated that the decision was taken “to maintain peace and prevent any potential disturbance in the area.” He added that strict monitoring is being conducted to ensure that no unauthorised gatherings take place during the originally proposed dates.
Relief Among Locals
Following the administration’s intervention, residents of Sargidihi and neighbouring villages expressed relief and gratitude, saying that they had been “saved from deception and forced conversion.” Many tribal leaders stated that such missionary activities exploit poverty and ignorance, and that “faith should not be sold in exchange for false promises.”
Organisations like the Vishva Hindu Parishad and Bajrang Dal praised the administration for its timely decision. Hemant Kumar, District Organisation Secretary of VHP, welcomed the move, saying,
“The real intent behind these so-called prayer meetings is to detach innocent tribal people from their ancestral traditions and culture using illegal inducements. The villagers’ unity and protest have thwarted this conspiracy.”
Call for Statewide Vigilance
Meanwhile, Shantanu Kusum, the Samajik Samarasata pramukh of VHP Odisha (West), also applauded the police action, stating that “healing meetings” under a religious pretext are often used to propagate superstition and deceit. He urged the Odisha government to impose a state-wide ban on such dubious religious events, emphasising that genuine religious gatherings must not be used as a front for conversion.
“We appreciate the administration’s proactive step in Sundargarh. Similar vigilance must be exercised across the state to ensure peace and protect the cultural integrity of tribal communities,” Kusum said.
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