First case filed against Christian missionaries under Rajasthan’s new anti-conversion law: Report
Jaipur: The Rajasthan Police has reportedly filed the first case under the state’s new anti-conversion law, accusing two Christian missionaries in Kota of using “allurement” to encourage religious conversions during a three-day gathering at Beersheba Church earlier this month. The event, called a ‘Spiritual Satsang,’ took place from November 4 to 6.
The FIR was registered late Thursday night after local office-bearers of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad and Bajrang Dal filed complaints. Police have issued notices to the two pastors, Chandy Varghese from New Delhi and Arun John from Kota, alleging that they encouraged conversions and conducted baptisms during the event, according to a report by The Hindu.
The two missionaries were booked under Section 299 of the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita, which pertains to acts intended to outrage religious feelings, as well as Sections 3 and 5 of the Rajasthan Prohibition of Unlawful Conversion of Religion Act, 2025. The FIR, registered at the Borkheda police station, reportedly stated that the accused made offensive remarks about the Hindu community and described the Rajasthan government as the “devil’s kingdom.”
Police have launched an investigation after obtaining videos and social media livestreams that purportedly show the speeches and activities at the event. It will also record statements from those who attended the event, given the sensitivity of the case.
Some youths allegedly announced from the stage that they had been baptised and had accepted Jesus Christ as their saviour, while urging others to adopt Christianity, added the report.
Pastor Arun John said that the police had asked him and Pastor Varghese to respond to the notices within three days. “We have nothing to hide [about the programme]… Its videos are already in the public domain. No illegal activity was carried out at the gathering,” The Hindu quoted him as saying.
The State Assembly passed the anti-conversion Bill during its monsoon session on September 9, and the Home Department notified the law on October 29. However, the legislation has drawn criticism for its steep penalties, which include life imprisonment, fines of up to Rs 1 crore, and the confiscation or demolition of properties for carrying out conversions through fraud, allurement, or coercion.
Interestingly, the law exempts individuals returning to their “ancestral religion.” Rajasthan is the latest Bharatiya Janata Party-ruled State to enact legislation aimed at curbing alleged forcible religious conversions. Similar laws are already in place in States such as Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Uttarakhand, Arunachal Pradesh and Andhra Pradesh.
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Man held for murdering elder brother in Latur
Latur (PTI): A man was arrested in Latur for allegedly murdering his elder brother, a police official said on Sunday.
The body of Gulab Vilas Kharose (34) was found on the bund of a field in Nilanga tehsil on February 18, following which a murder case was registered as it bore strangulation marks, the Kasarsirsi police station official said.
The probe zeroed in on the victim's younger brother Ulhas Kharose (32), he added.
"The two brothers had frequent quarrels over land and family matters. Ulhas attacked and killed his elder brother on the evening of February 17. Ulhas has been remanded in police custody till February 24," the official said.
