A video circulating widely on social media on September 24 shows Hindu activists confronting a man identified as Pastor Gypsum Thomas Williams over Christian conversion activities in villages around Bhopal.
The footage shows a group of people gathered inside a room, with women, families and children seated on the floor. A man wearing a navy suit and tie, identified in social media posts as Pastor Williams, is questioned by the activists about religious activities allegedly being carried out in the villages.
In the video, the activists question Williams about Christian religious activities being conducted in the area. Social media posts accompanying the footage claim that the pastor acknowledged that conversion-related work was taking place.
Children speak about leaving Hindu worship
The footage also shows activists questioning children and families about their religious practices.
Some children are heard saying that they no longer worship Hindu deities and instead follow the Bible. The activists question the pastor and those present about how the religious activities were being conducted and what was being taught to the families.
The video has since triggered a reaction on social media, with several users calling for action by the Madhya Pradesh government and police.
Hindu organisations and activists have shared the footage while alleging that Christian groups are targeting Hindu families in villages through religious activities.
The allegations, however, are based on the circulating footage and accompanying social-media claims. The video itself does not independently establish all the allegations being made about the wider activities.
Madhya Pradesh has law regulating religious conversion
The controversy has also drawn attention to Madhya Pradesh’s law governing religious conversion.
The Madhya Pradesh Freedom of Religion Act, 2021, deals with conversion by force, fraud, inducement and other prohibited means. The law also contains provisions concerning conversion involving minors and other vulnerable persons.
Under the legislation, allegations involving coercion, fraud or inducement can lead to criminal proceedings, while the law lays down procedures that have to be followed in cases of religious conversion.
Calls for government and police action
The video has prompted demands on social media for the Madhya Pradesh government and police to investigate the alleged activities.
In the footage, women and children can be seen sitting alongside other people as activists put questions to the pastor about the gathering and the religious activities allegedly being conducted in the area.
At present, the publicly available report concerns the circulating video and allegations made around it. Any criminal liability or violation of the Madhya Pradesh law would have to be established through an official investigation and evidence.
