VHP, Bajrang Dal activists harass pastor accusing him of converting villagers

A Pentecostal pastor had to be rescued after a group of right-wing activists surrounded Julwania Police Chowky in Barwani district where he had been brought on the charge of converting local villagers on Thursday.

A prayer meeting was on when activists of VHP and Bajrang Dal reached the house of one Idaram near Badwa Falia and raised anti-Christian slogans and hurled insults.

Pastor Lal Singh who was leading the prayers and Idaram were brought to the Julvania Police Chokwy after the right-wing group filed a complaint accusing them of converting the local by inducement.

“The VHP and Bajrang Dal workers were agitated and would have harmed the pastor had I released him,” Head Constable Rameshwar Pande told The Indian Express over phone. Pande had taken the duo in a police vehicle to Rajpur Police Station, about 12 kms away, where they were made to sit for a long time.

In-charge of Rajpur Police Station Asharam Varma said the charge of conversion was found to be false and the duo were allowed to go. He said no complaint was lodged against anybody.

Former member of state minorities’ commission Indira Iyengar alleged that such harassment of Christians in tribal areas was common as right-wing groups often complain against prayer meets alleging conversion.

Source:: Indian Express