Police in India Arrest 2 Christian Missionaries, 11 Hindus Over Conversion Row

By The Associated Press

MUMBAI, India (AP) - Police arrested two Christian missionaries who allegedly forced conversions and 11 Hindu hard-liners accused of attacking them this week in western India, police said last week.

Indian law tolerates missionaries but bars forced conversions. Nevertheless, any missionary activity generally provokes a harsh reaction — especially in states ruled by the Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party or its allies, where the law has been used to harass, imprison or drive out Christian missionaries.

In the latest case, local police charged the two Indian missionaries with "unlawful religious conversions" after two Hindu residents of Ichalkaranji town, 225 kilometers (140 miles) south of Maharashtra state's capital of Mumbai filed a complaint, said police inspector Praful Bhingarde.

The residents alleged "they were deceitfully baptized" by the missionaries last Sunday, Bhingarde said Wednesday.

The missionaries in turn said they were attacked by Hindu hard-liners, although they declined to press charges, Bhingarde said.

But after television footage showed a group of Hindus kicking and punching the missionaries, the police "pursued the case since the attack was in full view of the public," he said.

Police arrested 11 people for the attack and charged them with rioting and causing bodily harm, said area police commissioner K. K. Pathak.

Dolphy d'Souza, president of the Bombay Catholic Forum, said the missionaries did not press charges, fearing wider retribution against themselves and the Christian community.

"They have been physically abused and attacked so brutally," said d'Souza. "What would the reaction be if they pressed charges?"

The Press Trust of India news agency said the 11 arrested belonged to the Bajrang Dal and the Shiv Sena — two right-wing Hindu groups leading a campaign against Christian missionaries.

The groups accuse the missionaries of trying to lure poor people away from Hinduism — India's largest faith — through monetary offers or coercion.

Churches have denied that anyone can be coerced or bribed to change his or her personal religious beliefs.

Hindus form 84 percent of India's more than 1.2 billion population; Muslims, 13 percent; and Christians, 2.4 percent.

Copyright © 2007 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. The information contained in the AP News report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without the prior written authority of The Associated Press.

    Most Popular
  • Is 'The Last Supper' worth watching? Audience and critics weigh in

    Is 'The Last Supper' worth watching? Audience and critics weigh in

    Faith-based films often receive mixed reactions, and The Last Supper is no exception. The movie attempts to bring a fresh perspective to one of the most iconic moments in Christian history, but does it succeed? Some reviews from critics and audiences provide insight into its strengths and shortcomings.

  • ‘The Chosen’ Season 5: The darkest season yet—What to know before watching

    The wait is over—The Chosen is back with its fifth season, and this time, things are getting intense. The new episodes dive straight into the final days of Jesus’ life, covering some of the most emotional and dramatic moments in the Bible. If you’ve been following the series, you already know that The Chosen isn’t just about retelling familiar stories—it’s about bringing them to life in a way that feels real.

  • Massacres in Syria: Over 1,000 dead, including Christians and Alawites

    Syria’s coastal regions have been devastated by a series of massacres, with reports indicating that over 1,000 people—many from Christian and Alawite communities—have been killed in brutal attacks. Entire families have been wiped out, and survivors are fleeing in search of safety as sectarian violence escalates.

  • Kim Sae-ron and Wheesung: The tragic irony of Korean society and the principles of happiness

    Not long ago, the media was in an uproar over actress Kim Sae-ron’s passing. Just months before, the same people who had relentlessly criticized her for her DUI incident were now expressing sympathy, saying, "The world was too harsh on her." The irony is impossible to ignore.

  • Newsboys move forward as a quartet after Michael Tait’s departure

    After more than a decade as the lead singer of the Newsboys, Michael Tait has officially parted ways with the band, marking a significant shift in the Christian rock group’s lineup. The remaining members—Jeff Frankenstein, Jody Davis, Duncan Phillips, and Adam Agee—have assured fans that they will continue forward, embracing a new season of music and ministry.

Top Stories