Raipur: Tensions flared in Chhattisgarh’s Raipur after members of Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) and Bajrang Dal stormed a local church on August 10, alleging that forced religious conversions were taking place, reported the Siasat.
Eyewitnesses reported that the mob vandalised property, attacked members of the Christian community, and chanted the Hanuman Chalisa inside the church premises. Videos of the incident, widely shared on social media, show heated confrontations between the Hindutva workers and churchgoers, while police officials struggled to control the situation.
Chhattisgarh has witnessed repeated communal flashpoints in recent years, particularly against Christians. The state also has a long history of caste-based conversions, with many Dalits and members of Scheduled Castes and Tribes converting to escape entrenched caste discrimination.
Incidents of hostility towards the Christian minority have been frequent this year. On July 26, two Catholic nuns from Kerala were arrested by Chhattisgarh police following complaints from right-wing groups alleging forced conversions and human trafficking. Though later granted bail under strict conditions, the arrests drew widespread criticism.
Earlier in May, Bajrang Dal and VHP activists disrupted a Sunday prayer service, accusing participants of converting people, while chanting slogans of “Jai Shri Ram” and assaulting worshippers.
Human rights organisations have expressed concern over the growing pattern of intimidation and violence against Christians and other minorities in the state, warning that unchecked mob actions undermine constitutional freedoms of faith and worship.
