Chhattisgarh: Row erupts over Changai Sabha in Korba, Hindu activists allege conversion activities, demand action

Raipur: A row erupted over a Changai Sabha (religious gathering) organised at Sutarra area of Korba district on December 14 after locals along with the Hindu activists stages a protest against the program alleging conversion related activities.

The program called by pastor Bajrang Jaiswal triggered a strong opposition from villagers and members of local Hindu organisations who started raising slogans against the event, leading to a heated exchange between the two groups on Sunday afternoon. The event was being attended by members of the Christian community and local villagers.

The Hindu activists protesting against the program raises speculations of conversion activities being promoted under the guise of the program. They alleged that villagers at the event were lured into health related benefits by the organisers.

They further pointed out that similar gatherings were also organsied by pastor Bajrang in the past, without any prior information to the administration. The members demanded strict action against the said pastor. The organisers of the program on the other hand accused the Hindu activists for misrepresenting the event.

The protest soon led to sloganeering from both groups after which both sides reached Katghora police station. A written complaint against organsing a religious program without giving prior information to the administration has been lodged reportedly and the matter is being investigated further.

According to reports, a complaint against pastor Bajrang Jaiswal for organising similar religious gatherings at his house was lodged at Katghora police station after which he was arrested and sent into custody in November this year. He was recently released from jail.

Conversion related activities are on a rise in the state with cases involving attempts of conversion through Changai Sabha or healing ceremonies coming to the fore on regular intervals. The government on the other hand has hinted about introducing a stringent anti-conversion law in the state.

As per details, the government has already prepared the draft for the proposed bill and it could be introduced in the ongoing winter session of the state assembly. The draft for the new bill according to the government has been prepared after extensive study of anti-conversion laws across other states and equipped with stringent provisions to deal with the long debated illegal conversion issue in the state.