RAIPUR: Police in Chhattisgarh have arrested a pastor after receiving complaint of illegal conversion activities in Bilaspur district. The arrested individual has been identified as pastor Rajkumar Kewat.
As per information, the accused Pastor had organised a Prarthana Sabha (Healing ceremony) in Malhar area under the jurisdiction of Masturi police station limits of Bilaspur, on Sunday, January 11. The program was being attended by 30-35 local Hindu villagers who were allegedly being lured into changing their religion.
As the news of the gathering reached to local Hindu activists, they subsequently informed the police about the suspected conversion activities. The activists alleged that the attendees were being lured into conversion with promise of free health benefits.
A team of police them reached the spot and detained the pastor upon investigation. He was later booked by the officials after they received a written complaint. Further investigation into the case is being carried out by authorities.
It is to be noted, that cases of illegal conversion are keep coming to the fore from separate corners of the state, raising serious concerns over attempts made at converting people through healing ceremonies.
Earlier, police in December last year had also booked three individuals for allegedly promoting illegal conversion in Bilaspur district itself.
The incident came to light after local Hindu activists raised alarm over alleged attempts of conversion in a Prarthana Sabha organised at a private premise in Chilhati area under the jurisdiction of Pachpedi police station limits.
The local Hindu workers staged a protest against the gathering which was attended by 20-25 people, alleging illegal conversion activities. The protest against the gathering soon turned into a heated altercation with organisers of the program, prompting police officials to step in and took control.
Later, the police booked three individuals under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita (BNS).
Notably, a similar incident was also reported from the town’s Sipat area in September 2025 after which the authorities had to registered a case.
Conversion through lure or inducement has been a long-debated issue in the state with top ministers of the government also acknowledging it as a major issue. Reacting to activities aimed at converting people through unfair means, Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai recently remarked that such activities should be opposed strongly.
“Conversion is not good. Our country is secular and there is no issue if anyone wilfully embraces any other religion but conversion by taking advantage of anyone’s poverty, illiteracy, lure or by misleading someone is absolutely unfair and should be opposed,” said CM Sai.
