The local police arrested four Christians in a village in the district of Moradabad, Uttar Pradesh, India. The Christians, including a pastor, were accused of forced conversion by Hindu organizations, Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) and Bajrang Dal. The arrest happened after the organizations filed complaints against the Christians, claiming that they lured poor villagers with the promises of financial gains in exchange for their conversion.

The meeting of the Christians took place in Rammanawala village. Members of the Hindu organizations intervened by informing the police and claiming that the Christians forcefully converted people through grooming. Then, the general secretary of the district unit of the VHP filed a complaint against the Christians – three local men, and a pastor from Uddham Singh Nagar. In the complaint, he claimed that the Christians were handing out money and valuable objects to the people if they converted to Christianity. He also claimed that the pastor receives Rs 35,000 for every convert, and the people who help him gain Rs 25,000. Bishop Gerald Mathias of Lucknow said in an interview with AsiaNews:

“The Christian community cannot profess, practice, and propagate its faith in freedom, as enshrined in the Constitution, because of these interferences, intimidations and atrocities.”

  Bishop Mathias also expressed concern about how anti-conversion law is used in India. He stated:

“The anti-conversion law is crudely used and people, especially pastors, are often arrested on false charges. Fundamentalists go around as vigilantes to disturb congregations or religious conferences.”

The bishop also voiced his worries about the practice of the police arresting people who are accused of conversion without any solid proof. He pointed out as well that, according to the law, only the victim of forced conversion or their close family can file a complaint. But instead of a lawful practice, most times, it is a Hindu organization that files the complaints, resulting in the arrest of innocent people.

Source: Asia News

Photo: Wikimedia