A case of religious conversion disguised as healing sessions and prayer meetings has come to light in Bilaspur, Chhattisgarh, leading to protests from Hindu organizations. The police have arrested a pastor and one other individual after receiving complaints and witnessing the ensuing unrest. The incident took place within the Pachpedi police station’s jurisdiction.
Hindu activists in Bilaspur district have been actively campaigning against religious conversions. It is reported that individuals linked to missionary activities have been organizing prayer meetings in both urban and rural areas, using promises of healing to lure people into conversion. One such incident occurred in the Pachpedi police station area, where the police arrested three individuals on charges of facilitating religious conversion, following complaints and protests from Hindu organizations.
In the village of Jondhra, which falls under the Pachpedi region, members and officials of Hindu organizations protested on Sunday, accusing those involved of religious conversion. When the activists arrived, they found a prayer meeting underway in a house after a devotional gathering. The presence of Christian community members at the prayer meeting sparked outrage among the organization’s officials, who responded by chanting ‘Jai Shri Ram’ and creating a disturbance. The Pachpedi police were notified. Upon arriving at the scene, the police attempted to restore order. Based on the complaints, the police registered a case against Pastor Sukhnandan Lahare and his brother, Raghunandan Lahare, under the Religious Freedom Act and Section 299 of the BNS. Both were subsequently arrested. Police officials confirmed the arrest, citing a complaint alleging religious conversion activities disguised as prayer meetings.