Chhattisgarh Tensions Rise Amid Christian-Hindu Conversion Allegations

Tensions boiled over in Chhattisgarh's Bilaspur and Durg districts over the weekend, as allegations of religious conversions ignited fierce confrontations between Christian communities and Hindu organizations, leading to chaotic protests, violent scuffles, and heavy police intervention. What started as peaceful prayer meetings quickly escalated into hours-long standoffs, highlighting deep-seated communal frictions in the region.

In Bilaspur's Sipat area, a gathering of around 300 Christians for a community prayer session turned contentious when members of Hindu groups protested outside, claiming the event was a front for forced conversions. The situation deteriorated rapidly, prompting Sipat police to file charges against seven Christian members, which only fueled outrage. In response, hundreds of Christians encircled the police station, vociferously demanding the cases be dropped. Almost simultaneously, Hindu activists besieged the same station, calling for stringent action against the accused. The dual sieges lasted nearly 10 hours, with both sides exchanging heated slogans and creating a powder-keg atmosphere that kept the city on edge.

Meanwhile, in Durg, the unrest mirrored the intensity near Bafna Mangalam on Jail Road in the Padmanabhpur police station jurisdiction. Activists from the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP), Bajrang Dal, and Hindu Jagran Manch surrounded a local church during a house-based prayer meeting. As Christian members assembled to defend the gathering, a verbal altercation erupted. Reports indicate that a man named "John" from the Christian side allegedly hurled abuses at Bajrang Dal workers, sparking a brutal clash. Eyewitnesses and circulating videos captured John being assaulted with sticks before police rushed in, detaining him to restore order.

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John's arrest acted as a catalyst, drawing large crowds of Christians to the police station in a show of solidarity, complete with protest slogans. To de-escalate the brewing crisis, authorities relocated both factions to the more isolated Pur village police station on the city's periphery for complaint registration. Even there, tempers flared with ongoing arguments. The arrival of Bhim Army activists from Raipur added another layer of complexity, nearly tipping the situation into further chaos. In the end, police arrested one person from each side on charges of assault and verbal abuse, though both were swiftly released on bail.

The Bajrang Dal has since ramped up its rhetoric, issuing ultimatums for decisive measures. Jyoti Sharma, a prominent figure in the right-wing group, accused John of a pattern of provocative behavior, allegedly backed by foreign funds. "He must be banished from the district, and his financial trails probed immediately," Sharma demanded, threatening widespread agitations if ignored. The organization also asserted that local informants had alerted them to the prayer meeting, justifying their swift action to prevent what they described as illicit conversions.

On the other side, Christian leaders vehemently denied any conversion activities, framing the incidents as baseless smears. "The very notion of conversion lacks a clear definition—neither the government nor the administration can explain it properly. This is all a manufactured narrative to target us," one leader asserted. They emphasized their commitment to peaceful worship, stating, "We preach love and acceptance. People join our community voluntarily, often leaving behind addictions and uplifting their lives—it's a force for good, not coercion. We're even open to holding meetings in public spaces to prove our transparency."

Authorities are now working overtime to quell the unrest. Durg's Additional Superintendent of Police, Sukhnandan Rathore, revealed that police had intelligence about the prayer gathering in advance. "Upon arrival, we found Bajrang Dal members and Christians engaged in a fight, which disrupted law and order. We've counseled both parties, and a thorough investigation is in progress," he explained, appealing for restraint to avoid further escalation.

These clashes underscore the volatile interplay of religion and politics in Chhattisgarh, where anti-conversion laws have long been a flashpoint. As investigations continue, community leaders from all sides are calling for dialogue, but the wounds from the weekend's violence may take time to heal, with fears of renewed protests lingering.

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