More than 25 persons embrace Christianity, prompting concerns and demands for police intervention
Team Clarion
BEMETRA – In a development stirring controversy and concern, about 25 individuals from five families in Thankamaria Nagar Panchayat, situated within Chhattisgarh’s Saja assembly constituency of Bemetara district, have reportedly renounced Hinduism and embraced Christianity.
The revelation has ignited a firestorm of debate and calls for action from Hindu organisations and political entities, including the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
The Saja assembly constituency gained prominence following the Biranpur incident, where communal violence claimed the life of a youth on April 8, 2023, catapulting issues of religious harmony into the spotlight. In the subsequent elections, the victory of Ishwar Sahu over seven-time MLA Ravindra Choubey underscored the electorate’s concerns over communal tensions.
According to sources, the decision of members of five families to embrace Christianity has sent shockwaves through the local community and administration alike. Those who underwent religious conversion claim that since embracing Christianity, they have experienced improvements in various aspects of their lives, including financial stability and relief from physical ailments.
However, the news of the conversions has not been received warmly by Hindu organisations and BJP members in the region. Reacting swiftly, members affiliated with Sanatan Dharma, Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP), and the BJP have submitted a memorandum to the Khamhariya police station, urging authorities to take stringent action against individuals involved in facilitating religious conversions. Additionally, there have been calls to seal properties suspected of housing religious paraphernalia associated with Christianity.
Expressing their discontent and concern, representatives from these organisations have vowed to escalate their demands for intervention, intending to meet with the Superintendent of Police (SP) to apprise them of the situation and advocate for decisive action against what they perceive as attempts to induce religious conversions.
The emergence of this religious conversion saga adds another layer to the ongoing discourse surrounding communal harmony and religious freedom in Chhattisgarh. As tensions simmer and demands for accountability grow louder, the administration faces the formidable task of navigating delicate religious sensitivities while upholding the principles of law and order.
In the coming days, the response of authorities and political stakeholders to this contentious issue is anticipated to shape the discourse on religious conversion and interfaith relations in the region.
