Rajnandgaon, Chhattisgarh — A Christian family of seven in Chhattisgarh’s Rajnandgaon district was reportedly attacked and forced to flee their village after they refused to participate in a “Ghar Wapsi” conversion ceremony, according to reports by International Christian Concern (ICC).
The incident took place on June 16, when local village leaders confronted Vikram, a Christian father of five, and demanded that he and his family renounce Christianity and convert to Hinduism. Upon Vikram’s refusal, the leaders organized a public meeting where it was declared that the family would be expelled from the village.
Shortly thereafter, a mob stormed the family’s home, threw their food and belongings into the street, and forced the family to flee. The family took temporary refuge in a nearby forest a few miles from their village to escape the violence.
During the attack, the couple’s three daughters were allegedly abused by the mob. According to reports, this was the fifth time the family had been pressured to undergo a forced “Ghar Wapsi” ceremony — a campaign aimed at converting Christians and Muslims back to Hinduism.
Though Vikram filed a complaint with the local police, ICC alleged that officers did not take any substantive action. Villagers reportedly refused to allow the family to return unless they agreed to abandon their Christian faith.
Christian leaders and rights groups have raised alarm over the rising number of such attacks in Chhattisgarh, attributing the trend to growing Hindu nationalist sentiment. Despite the existence of anti-conversion laws, these laws are often criticized for being misused against minority communities rather than preventing coercion.
International Christian Concern stated, “As in similar attacks that occur throughout India and increasingly in Chhattisgarh, the aim of the destruction and violence was to pressure the family to convert to Hinduism through a ceremony called ‘Ghar Wapsi,’ which means ‘homecoming.’ From the federal government down, there is a large push for India to become a Hindu-only nation.”
According to the United Christian Forum (UCF), 245 cases of violence against Christians were reported from across India between January and May 2025. These incidents were recorded in 19 states, with 55 cases in January, 65 in February, 76 in March, and 49 in April. Uttar Pradesh topped the list with 50 cases, followed by Chhattisgarh with 46.
Although Christians comprise only around 1.9% of Chhattisgarh’s population (as per the 2011 Census), they have frequently been targeted in communal campaigns. Hindutva organizations, often with political backing, have been accused of orchestrating “Ghar Wapsi” drives using intimidation and violence.
Chhattisgarh has had an anti-conversion law since 1968, which was amended in 2006 to require prior approval from district magistrates for any religious conversion. While the law penalizes conversions by force or inducement, it does not restrict “re-conversions” to Hinduism, raising concerns about bias and misuse against minority communities.
