11, including 3 pastors, held for conversion drive

Claude D’Souza | TNN

Udaipur: Police Sunday arrested 11 people, including three pastors from Chhattisgarh, in connection with an alleged religious conversion drive targeting tribal families from around 20 villages of Udaipur district.

The arrests followed a complaint regarding a gathering held Saturday in Kanuwada Bilkhai village under Rishabhdev police station. DSP Rajeev Rahar said the arrests were based on allegations that local tribals were facing threats and inducements to convert to Christianity.

According to the complaint, villagers were allegedly promised financial assistance, relief from illnesses and benefits such as wells and tubewells in their fields if they adopted Christianity. Complainant Nanalal alleged that he and his family were lured and pressured to change their religion.

Rishabhdev SHO Hemant Ahari said a prayer gathering had been going on in the village for the past two days under the leadership of local resident Babulal. People from more than 20 nearby villages had reportedly attended the event.

“When police reached the spot on information provided by a villager, more than 200 people were found present. They were allegedly being motivated to abandon Hinduism and adopt Christianity,” Ahari said.

Police had initially detained the 11 people Saturday before formally arresting them Sunday. Those arrested include Amit Kumar (43), Palash Gulhani (30), and Ashish Masih (32) from Chhattisgarh, as well as eight local residents. Police are examining their mobile phones, bank accounts and sources of funding as part of the investigation.